A new day has come... again...

Hello world!

So... it's been a good long time since I did anything about this blog of mine, or about the dream that it aims to fulfill. But I'm back!

It's funny how life sometimes carries you away on its own little twists and turns and side-roads and detours. In the past couple of years, I have met and married the man of my dreams, finally decided what I wanted to study - to fulfill one of the other dreams that I have long held dear in obtaining a university degree with distinction (yes, I have an academic side) - and have reached my second year of said studies. That doesn't necessarily seem very awesome, but I have learned so many things on the way that although being a 23-year-old second year varsity student has its "oh my goodness, I feel so old!" moments, I wouldn't change where I am now for the world.

At first, I thought that all of these events would cause me to forget about my dream of singing for a living, but as it turns out, all it takes is one more glimpse of the musical theater life and I'm like a lovesick puppy dog, whining for a chance to prove myself as I've always wanted to do. The stage beckons and who can resist its sultry call?

So here I go again! :-P

Today, I reached a final conclusion about my studying career and it feels wonderful! It also gives me the opportunity for plenty of free time in which I can focus on finding my way to this other, ever-nudging dream that people often tell me to grasp with both hands because of some alleged talent that I have for captivating hearts when I sing. Could these people be right? Should I leap out of my comfort zone and make a true and lasting attempt to capture the stars and hold them in my palm?

I think so...

If today were your last day...

There are many things that inspire me towards my dreams. Music - obviously - is one of them and I'd like to share some songs that have inspired me on this blog. The one that I'm going to share, in part, here is by Nickelback (one of my brother's and my favourite 'memory' bands). The song is entitled, 'If Today Was Your Last Day':

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last...
... What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life...
...You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side...

2012...? Say it isn't so!

I was listening to Jacaranda 94.2 on the radio the other day when they were talking about how many people in the world believe that - like in the movie - 2012 is the year that the world is going to end. I was thinking about this and it hit me: 2012 is next year!

Soon as that is, I - personally - do not put much stock in these ideas because I know who I am, where I come from and why I am here. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we learn of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Second Coming which is approaching. We are taught that, "... of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36). I trust in the Lord; that His plans will be accomplished and that, "... [His] work and [His] glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) will be fulfilled before the coming of, "the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants 2:1).

But aside from all that, I truly hope that 2012 isn't the end because I don't think that I'll have realised all my dreams by then! ;)

The dream...

My ultimate dream is an interesting one, which most people will probably find to be rather strange. You see... the desire that is closest to my heart is to perform - someday - in a leading role opposite Jonathan Roxmouth ; an incredibly talented South African musical theatre performer who has bagged leading roles the like of: Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Danny in Grease and, of course, as Roelof Colyn's co-star in A Handful of Keys since 2008.

I first saw Jonathan perform in the Barnyard production of Rock Me Amadeus in which he played the rather eccentric and alternative character of Amadeus Mozart. He was incredible! And this extremely high calibre of performance in all areas (piano, singing, dancing, acting, etc.) has continued on throughout his youthful career. At 23 years of age, he is an absolute inspiration to watch as he does what he so obviously loves! It doesn't take someone with unusual intelligence or a great deal of theatre-going experience to see that he is indeed one of South Africa's best!

And he is one of my favourites...

The day that I get to sing with Jonathan Roxmouth will be the day that I'll be able to say that all of my efforts and let-downs and trials and challenges will have been worth it. Though the dream does not centre around him as some might think, the goal to sing with him one day is a bench mark for me and I look forward to achieving it!

If you've never seen a show with Jonathan Roxmouth in it, do yourself a favour and find one by clicking on this link :-) I guarantee you'll thank me later...

A journey begins...

They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step...

Step One: Set goals

This first step has been the most difficult one for me to take for many years. There have been many reasons for this: uncertainty that I could ever make it, thinking that the timing couldn't possibly be right, people's judgements, insecurities within myself, self doubt, justification that my values and my dreams could not exist simultaneously, etc. Those thoughts have slowly been changing over the past few months as I have come to see that the only way that I will ever make my dreams come true is to do just that: MAKE THEM!

This past week, I attended a performance of 'A Handful of Keys' at Monte Casino with some friends; my third this performance season. It is a show that I have always loved and one that has inspired me for years. This past Thursday, it dramatically altered my mindset and led me to this new beginning, this time of goal setting and goal achieving and this season of preparation to making my own dreams become my realities in aiming to become who I was born to be...

This blog is going to be the story of how I aim to achieve my aspirations. It is going to be the documentation of all my efforts; combining my hobbies and talents in all areas and showing the world that I have what it takes to be who I desire to be.

I aim to take all my followers on the ride of my life, right beside me as I set goals, achieve them and take things to the next level. And just as any performer, anywhere in the world, I need my fans to help me to gain the exposure and support that I need in order to be a success. So, as we begin this journey together, I ask that you stand by me and tell people that you know about this project. The more people that know about it, the more followers it will gain and the more likely it will be to succeed.

In advance, I'd like to say thank you for the good wishes and support and I look forward to taking the first step on this 'journey of a thousand miles' with you.

I will post again soon... :-)

Kaleela