“30 THOUSAND FEET ABOVE NEW YORK…”

The title of this week’s blog is a lyric from a song entitled “Lay Down” by the kind and talented singer/songwriter, Nikki Shannon (www.myspace.com/nikkishannon). The song and it’s lyrics have always been a favorite of mine, for personal reasons, but also seemed fitting, since as I write this I am about “30 thousand ft. above New York” on my Jet Blue flight from Burbank to JFK.

I am seated next to an inspiring woman named Erda, who is flying to NYC to meet up with her daughter, from Austin, TX, for an 8-day mother/daughter trip. I mention her because even though she’s had some wearing hardships, her view on life is so open and optimistic, and I found myself relating to her, yet learning.

At nearly 80, she is full of youth, life, and beauty inside and out. She mentioned how lucky she was to have been seated next to me, because she had always wanted to be an actor. However, she grew up right before The Great Depression, during a time when that profession came mostly with disapproval. She had never had the opportunity I have been given and is “truly happy and glad to see how things have evolved for me.”

In fact, she too believes that all of life, no matter what you chose to do, is about “baby steps” because “life is a slow progression.” She expressed the importance of travel and doing what you love by saying, “life is about living what you are dealt, no matter what that is, good or bad, making the most of what you have, and doing the best you can, while helping others along the way.” Needless to say, this was an enlightening in-flight conversation with someone who touched me; whom I will never forget.

That said, I should touch down in my beloved NYC shortly, where I will be happily greeted by my extraordinary dad, aka Papa John, and my oh so chic and marvelous mother. We will then head to downtown Manhattan to the meatpacking district for a fun dinner together at Pastis, one of my all time favorite restaurants.

I am going back to NYC because my younger sister Devon, of whom I spoke in an earlier blog regarding her spring break in LA, is graduating with her Master’s Degree from Purdue University. Now, you may be asking why are you in NYC when Purdue is in Indiana?

Well, that is because I decided to fly home and then drive with my parents and older sister, Danielle, to West Lafayette together, the home of Purdue University, where both my sisters, father and grandfather graduated. My mother and I are what we like to call “Honorary Purduians,” since we are there often, love it so, but graduated elsewhere. Shout out to my alma mater, UNCG, in Greensboro, NC, and my mother’s, College of St. Catherine, in St. Paul, MN.

While back east, I will not only get to see my whole family, including my oh so fun uncles and adorable nephews, along with some of my closest friends, but I also will be auditioning for a half-hour comedic, speculative television pilot entitled “One of the Girls”, filming in Wilmington, NC. Where I got my TV start ten years ago. They are looking to re-cast one of the lead roles Elizabeth, a “very funny, yet extremely poignant at times” character on the show, and have asked me to read for the role.

Ironic that Liesl means Elizabeth in German, so perhaps it was meant for me. Either way, it is a fun role and gives me a chance to be a bit bolder, direct and stereotypically blonde than I am in real life, which is what acting is all about. I plan to bring her to life as best I can and simply have fun above all. Then we’ll see what happens, if anything.

It should be a fun-filled couple of weeks. After some interesting and super busy times in LA, it will bring a nice break for me, while also being somewhat productive, which is always a good thing. So, the next time I am “30 thousand ft. above New York,” I will be on my Jet Blue return flight; maybe even meeting another fascinating person and writing my next FIB blog!

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” - Seneca