Week 1: Let the work begin..

Week 1:

Let the work begin...My mom and I were super exhausted after our long drive, but that didn’t stop us from getting busy. We immediately began our hunt for furniture that will fit in my lil shoe box..I mean apartment..Did I tell you how small it is?? IT’s SMALL!!  (450 sq feet to be exact). I even have a murphy bed ( a bed that pulls out from the wall). At first I thought this was going to be fabulous because I wouldn’t even have to make my bed in the morning... just fold it up into the wall...WRONG!! This sucker is HEAVY!! Its like doing a dead lift/squat thrust thingy first thing in the morning..And getting it down at night...well thats another story...I am pretty sure one of these days this thing is going to squish me like a bug..All you will see are my feet sticking out like the wicked witch from Wizard of Oz. HELP!!!! 

We found this really awesome furniture store (Atlantic Bedding) where we finally found a couch that barely/perfectly fit...with a hide a bed.( meaning there is no excuse not to come visit haha) a dresser for my closet, and a cute little table. Not only did I get furniture from the store, but I also made some friends..Who woulda thought??? We randomly bumped into the furniture crew again at a bar..and when I say bumped into..I literally mean RAN into them..BAM!! oopsies..Well he introduced me to his fiance (she is a doll) we talked midgets (I mean little people..I LOVE THEM) and instantly became friends. They even invited us to dinner the next evening and to join their softball team. :-) YAY FOR NEW FRIENDS!! 

My tiny little box of an apartment is finally starting to look like a home..I used yellow accents to make it my happy little box. :-) Its pretty cozy in here and I am loving the building..Met another girl in the building..We also instantly clicked..She actually lived in my hometown for awhile as a training news reporter for K2..Small world huh?? 

Even tho we were working our butts off..,my mom and I got to enjoy some great quality time together this week and had a blast per usual.. I am so thankful to have her in my life. She has always been very supportive of me and my dreams. She helped me so so much this week with EVERYTHING!! I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for her!  We had a lot of fun exploring the town and my neighborhood together. We checked out the Belle Meade plantation/winery, and the Belmont Mansion. (BOTH WERE BEAUTIFUL) We also checked out the fun bars and restaurants in the area..Of course we enjoyed some much needed wine..and... maybe a few fireballs here and there...but who’s counting :-) Saying goodbye to her on Sunday was devastating. Goodbyes are never easy!! 

 

Friday the 21st my mom and I attended CRS 2014..(Country Radio Seminar) where I was able to do some great networking. I was asked by a few record label execs, managers, etc to stop by their offices next week to discuss my career. They also want to hear some of my music and possibly use me as a writer!! SO...Stay tuned and Ill let you know how it all goes :-) 

Cheers, 

Jennell 

#onestepcloser

And so it begins..

I wanted to start this blog the day I left LA to document my journey, but it turned out to be a pretty busy time in my life so that didn't happen. Therefore this first post is going to be a little lengthy. Bare with me if you can :-)
Oh and just a heads up..I am not a great writer or anything..this is more like a messy journal..so please don't judge me on my grammar, punctuation, etc..:-) Thanks!! haha

A little about me:
My name is Jennell. I was born and raised in Casper Wyoming, but have been living in Los Angeles the past 6.5 years pursuing a music and acting career. I also attended USC during my time in LA and earned a masters degree in Occupational Therapy..Let me tell ya, the past 6 years went by in a blink. I was working as a pediatric occupational therapist part-time while also working on music...writing, recording, etc..The acting thing..well I loved it, but didn't have the time to really pursue it, so that is on hold for now...I really would like to give that another shot at some point tho, but for now..music is my priority. I can act till Im old as dirt, but nobody wants to see me singing when I'm 90.. :-) right??  Considering I am pursing a career in music (country music to be exact) I had contemplated moving to Nashville for quite some time..Everyone told me I should, but I couldn't imagine leaving LA. I really loved my life there. I had a great group of friends, a great job, a great guy..and lived only a few minutes from the beach..so leaving didn't really seem like a good option. Until, one night in September changed everything. I went to watch Lee Brice (A great country singer/songwriter) perform at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. It was a small crowd, and it was more of a question/answer type of show than an actual vocal performance.. but what he said about his decision to move to Nashville to pursue songwriting pretty much sealed the deal. He basically said, if this is what you want..you HAVE to be there..You can't just go visit, drop off some demos, and go home...So, I went home that night and told myself that I am moving to Nashville. Shortly there after (October 2013) I took a trip to Nashville with my mom to check out it, and LOVED IT!! I set my moving date for Feb 2014...So here we are...
Feb 8th- my bff Erin threw me a going away party at The Parlor (my home away from home)
It was absolutely just as awful as I imagined that it would be to say goodbye to my amazing friends..AWFUL!!! But I know that they will come visit (they better) and I will definitely be back to visit them (soon). ;-)

Feb 9th- With a very heavy heart, I got on the plane and flew to Wyoming to pick up my mom..It was freezing..(-25 to be exact)
Feb 12th- My mom and I started our LOOOONG 22 hr drive to NASHVILLE!! We started at 6:00 am..saw the most incredible sunrise..hit some gnarly roads...stopped in Lexington to see our Aunt Sharon..stopped in Lincoln to see more relatives and two new little additions to the family (twin boys :-) sooo cute) then continued on to Omaha..Had dinner with my bff from my childhood, Kellie, her husband, and their precious daughter..(crazy how quickly we all grew up...with the exception of me of course hah) chatted and stayed the night with more cousins in Omaha..(I have a lot of cousins).
Feb 13th- Made it to St. Louis..Visited one of my moms friends from high school, had dinner, then visited another one of my childhood friends..had a much needed beer and hit the pillow...
Feb 14th-  our last little trek. Stopped in Kentucky (to eat fried chicken obviously) then.....du du du daaaaaa (super hero voice).....NASHVILLE!! Happy Valentines Day to me!!
Saw my apartment for the very first time....its SO SMALL!! but adorable..and in a great neighborhood. Just downstairs I have a few great bars, restaurants, boutiques, and an awesome lil grocery store..So much to do to make this lovely apartment a home...LET THE WORK BEGIN!!

Well this post is LONG ENOUGH!! if you are still with me..I am IMPRESSED!!! Please continue to follow along on my journey. Next post will be about my first week in Nashville!!
Jennell