Jerry Lee Lewis, The Killer Live

Today I saw Jerry Lee Lewis live in Beaumont, Texas! It was an amazing experience with my housemates and partners in adventure.

The best part about it for me was simply being in the presence of the last great legend of the 50's. It was so humbling to watch him play and know that he was one of the founders of rock 'n roll. His sound and style started a revolution in music and society! It is just so cool to reflect on that and then look up and see him pound that keyboard just like he did 60 years ago.

His voice definitely isn't as strong as it once was, but he is very witty and still has a bit of a temper. About 5 songs in he got angry at one of the guitarists for playing the wrong chords, or so he thought, and he starts yelling out the chords. "F. C. E. A." Then when the song ends he says, "We have been playing this song together for 43 years and he still can't play it correctly. I don't understand it." They play a few more songs, and then he belts out "Great Balls of Fire". The performance of this song was perfect! It sounded so good. They play one more song, then start on "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On" and about halfway through he kicks the seat back, his classic move, and walks off the stage (he doesn't storm off, he's 80), but he walks off with a standing ovation. It was, as Jerry Lee would say, "Mercy!".

Jerry Lee's sister performed as well and she sounded great! She could bang that piano, too! The guy that opened for Jerry Lee, Jake Rowley, had a nice Elvis sound, but seemed a bit egotistical to me. He was touring with the Broadway spectacular Million Dollar Quartet prior to this performance. I felt like he was definitely more of an actor than a performer.

As you can see it was an interesting and exciting night! I am just so thrilled that I was at this performance and hope that I carry the memories I made tonight with me til the end of my days.

I'm out for the night, with the sound of the piano in my head!

Until next time,
Alyssa

Things are grand!

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to post a quick update and say that things are going well! I really love the job and am staying busy busy.

I have helped with 3 college fairs, SGA elections, worked on lots of documents and brainstormed lots of ideas. I definitely feel higher education will be a passion of mine for my whole life and that this experience will provide me with great insight into people, higher education, and government. I am very excited to see where this journey takes me.

A couple weekends back I met my partner in Dallas for a fun weekend reunion. It is tough being long distance, but when we are together the time is more special and we make the most of it. We had a fun time experiencing Reunion Tower, hitting the roller coasters at Six Flags, and eating yummy food.

Pa and Laurie are amazing housemates and spoil me. We had a great weekend cleaning up the old homeplace and keeping my little cousin. We tried to see the super eclipse yesterday, but sadly it was too cloudy. I hope I get the chance to see it in 2033. Today they made some amazing marinated crab claws. This weekend we are going to see Jerry Lee Lewis for his 80th birthday bash...
Life is just really great!

I hope you take time to enjoy the people and things you love. Work should revolve around your life, not vice versa.

Have a wonderful week and thanks for sharing in life with me.

Love,
Alyssa

New job!

Hello friends!

I have started a new job at a technical college in the area. I am now their Coordinator for Student Success. Very exciting!!!

I have had an incredible first week. I am helping with everything student life at our little school--admissions, financial aid, student government, etc.--and I am charged with creating a comprehensive marketing plan for two campuses; which is right up my alley!

All of my passions and interests from my undergraduate career are now coming into play with this position. I am ready to see what all I will learn! This will for sure help me decide if I want to go the full marketing business route, or if I want to work in higher education.

Great things are in store! This job came out of nowhere, but it could not be more perfect. I have amazing coworkers and already feel right at home. The first minute I was on the clock I was put to work and have kept really busy! I love a challenge and being busy.

I am still working for my grandpa after work since I get off at 4. Its great to have the flexibility to continue that passion.

The weekends have been busy too. For Labor Day I traveled to the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. Last weekend I went to visit family nearby, this weekend I am meeting a friend in Texas. The next weekend my cousin is coming to stay with us. Then the weekend after that, I am going to see Jerry Lee Lewis! Lots of great things in store!

I hope you are thoroughly enjoying your week and that you have lots of things to look forward to !

Much love,
Alyssa

10,000 words!!!!!!!!!

Over the past year I've started about five different books. Two of them I thought had great potential and I was excited to start writing them. I wrote about 5 pages for each book and then set it down and haven't touched it. Very sad!

But! I had another idea for a book last weekend and started writing it. On night one I wrote 11 pages and 4,000 words. Now I am up to page 28 and just hit 10,000 words! I am very excited and wanted to remember this accomplishment! So what better way than to write some more on here?! I am listening to Lindsey Stirling Radio on Pandora, in my room at Pa's house, writing by lamp light, important items on me are my Claddagh ring and Elton John t-shirt. Inspiration is just radiating from me. You can't help but be inspired when you think the incomparable Elton John is in the room. The beautiful instrumental music really helps you to write too because your typing gets into the rhythm of the song.

I hope I can actually finish it. I have given myself a deadline of my 25th birthday to finish a book... so I better get to writing if I want it complete, edited, and bound before then!

Well I am going back to novel now. This was a nice little break to clear my head and record my life.

Find something you've always wanted to do and do it/start it this weekend! Best of luck to you.

Love,
Alyssa

Family time

Hello fellow humans, 

This past month I have spent many hours with my dear family. I got to spend 3 weeks in the Carolinas with my parents and little brother. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I got there. Mom and Austin came back to Louisiana with me for almost 2 weeks and it was extremely hard saying goodbye to Austin. 

He starts school in a few days after being out of public school for a majority of his life and I so wish I could be there to help him get his school supplies, see him off that first day, and be there to hear about his first day in person. I really hate the distance. But that is part of life and growing up... you sadly miss out on stuff. 

Sometimes I wish we were closer in age, but then I don't think I'd appreciate him as much or want to look out for him like I do with our age difference. I'm just grateful that we are close and hope that he knows I am always there for him regardless of how many miles are between us. 

I better stop talking on that subject or else I may tear up ! 

I also got to spend a week with my partner in July. We had a lovely time together, but as always it flew by too quickly. He flew into New Orleans so we enjoyed the city a couple of days, then visited some of his family near Houston, came to my home and enjoyed the lake, stayed with my aunt in a different part of the state, then our time was over. I haven't seen him in 2 1/2 months and hope that we do not have to go that long with a visit again. If you have a long distance relationship you understand how difficult it is to say "see you later" after a visit, and if you have never had to be long distance with your partner then count your blessings. It seems easy, until you do it. It is definitely harder than I expected, but doable. You just have to make an extra effort which helps you realize how much you really care about the person. :) 

Now I am back to work for Pa, starting back on some of my projects, and doing a little babysitting. I got to babysit the worlds cutest baby today. He is the easiest baby I have ever been around. Just happy all the time. It was a lovely day hanging out with his sweet little self. Humans are incredible... Especially when you get to see them grow. 

I am really looking forward to just being home and working. Vacationing was rewarding and fun, but it is always good to return to productivity. I am ready to get back on track and make some progress on my projects. Plus, I have to start seriously soul searching what type of job I want after this and start looking into it. Eeeeee. I think I have an idea, but we will seeeeeee.... my mind changes pretty frequently. 

Well, I have wrote a lot tonight. I missed writing and am glad to catch up. I hope you are doing wonderfully, enjoying life, are happy and healthy! 

See you on the next page, 

Alyssa

Reunited with the immediate family

Hello, hello, hello!

I am visiting my parents and little bro in the Carolina's. It has been a lot of fun the past 2 weeks. I will be heading back to Louisiana next week.

I didn't realize how much I missed it here until I got here. It will be kind of hard to leave, but then again I am ready to get back to work! I like to be productive and enjoy the work I do, so its a good feeling to want to go to work.

Everyday I am more thankful that my grandpa and Laurie have given me this opportunity. It has really helped me think strategically about my future and is giving me different areas of work to look into. Plus, I have the ability to develop new business ideas and work on my novel.

I just need to work on time management a bit more so that I can maximize my time.

But, we have lots going on here so I am going to get back with the family. Just wanted to drop a line and say hello to everyone!

Always pursuit something that makes you feel fulfilled and that you enjoy. Also, enjoy time with those you love! Sometimes its easier said than done, but you can find time to do something you love.

Much love,
Alyssa

Alyssa the Cleaning Lady

This week I have taken on the task of cleaning my grandma's home. I have put in 13 hours and still feel like I am not even 50% of the way finished.

When I walked in I felt like I was in the exotic city of Pompeii for about 5 seconds. The dust covered counters and items reminded me of the ash covered city. Instead of Mt. Vesuvius erupting it was just decades of neglect leaving the stain of time. 

At first I was kind of frustrated and kicking myself for even offering to do it. But then I thought about my poor grandma hobbling around on her bum ankle and the home that I have so many memories in deteriorating and was happy that I have taken on this second job. 

Now I am just ready to be done and see the fruits of my labor. I am already satisfied with my progress and will be happy to see the entire place complete. I am not just cleaning the surfaces but I am getting inside every nook and cranny, cabinet and drawer, to purge the junk and organize the treasures. 

When someone lives in a place for 50 years it is easy to accumulate a ton of crap. It is inevitable that one day someone will have to go through it. My wonderful, thoughtful mom will probably be the person who ends up taking care of the house when my grandma decides to move permanently out of town or when she's ready to let the house go. So, I just think about her when I'm cleaning and all she's done for me. If this small thing is something I can give to her then I am glad to give my time. 

It is kind of refreshing to clean. It's a bit of exercise that I need, and I have come across some old stuff. It sort of makes me feel powerful which is always fun. Like, "Hello Tupperware! You don't have a lid. Now you will meet the landfill." It just feels like a necessary part of life. We must clean out and refresh every part of our lives sometimes. 

I am learning some valuable lessons which is always important. While there are many other things I'd rather be doing--like writing on one of my books, visiting with people, reading, catching up on my TV shows, etc.--I know that I am growing and overcoming a challenge which are important things for me to do in every aspect of my life. 

I hope that you can find something that is a challenge to you and overcome it next week. I also hope you are not like me and never regret giving something as simple as your time to help another person... or if you are like me and did that initially I hope that you found the beauty in what you gave. 

Much love,

Alyssa