Open Center

Whitney and I could not be more excited for our trip to Tennessee on Friday! We are flying into Chattanooga which we will be spending our time in Cleveland for Teddie's wedding and then driving to Nashville with B.Bags! Flying out of Nash to NYC on Wednesday. We are most excited about the warmer weather - family and friends and of course all the amazing food!!!

Deonte, who has been living with us for the month of March leaves for his gig in Hilton Head tomorrow morning, he is doing Hairspray and Smokey Joe's Cafe. Yay- he's getting equity points:)

I have been keeping very busy with my 3 jobs! I'm still doing merchandise for Vital Theatre on actually just Saturday mornings, working as a cashier at Forever 21, and in the events coordinating department at the Open Center. It works out great because every job is part time so I work at Forever 21 on Monday and Wednesdays, Open Center every other day basically. But I make sure that I have one or two days off every week. I like having variety in my life. That way it doesn't feel monotonous. Tonight was incredible due to the fact that after I worked at Open Center I stayed and played on the baby grand piano that they have. Amazing, making music, I haven't been able to play since too long and it made my soul smile.
Let me try to explain what the Open Center is... hmm... well, it's a non-profit business that offers classes for well-being, really. People can take classes like, yoga, aromatherapy, singing, dance, healing, and anything you can think of. We have 5 rooms where we set up and make sure everything is set for each individual teacher. These classes will consist from anywhere to 20 - over 100 people. It's my job to make sure everything is running smoothly. We'll have to set up mics, LCD for powerpoints or presentations, chairs, yoga mats, pillows, tables, and even sometimes massage tables or reiki tables. This job keeps me on my toes. However, it's pretty sweet because while the classes are in session I'll get to chill, relax. They have a great facilitated - clean kitchen for if the employees want to cook. I have made pork, and asparagus on my dinner breaks:) AND... I don't have to clock out for when I go on break. Other than my performing jobs, this has never happened. I always to clock out on lunch or dinner breaks, which stinks because then I don't get as much money. But not here:)
There is also a meditation room open to the public. My boss has told me that if I ever get stressed out I can go in there and take some time to heal. The people I work with are 100% hippies. They often compliment me on my energy when I come in for the day. For instance, I'll come in to the office and one of them will say, "I like your energy." But they woudn't say it enthusiastically, it's more subdued and chill. Slowly, almost.  "I... liike.... your... ennnerggy." The reason I got the interview in the first place was because apparently I had good energy. I mean I get it, but still, it's weird lingo I'm not used to.
The other day, I used my walkie for backup and my co-worker told me she needed more time for herself. Isn't this soo strange?
Plus - I'm the 2nd employee in history to be and have been married. ????? What??? I have no idea how many people are employed but I could probably guess it to be around 30-40. And I'm the youngest for sure. Sometimes I think about recording some of my co-workers conversations because they're such hippies. Oh... and I can take classes for free. We'll see.

Here is the description on their website.
The Open Center, presenting over 500 programs of exceptional depth and integrity to audiences totaling more than 10,000 annually, we currently concentrate in five major areas: Contemplative and Spiritual Traditions; Health and Wellness; Psychology; Society and Ecology; and Creativity and the Arts.
We began looking outward to the relationship between our values and how we act in the world. Programs and teachers focused on understanding health and mind-body healing, depth psychology, mystical and esoteric traditions, compassionate dying, socially responsible investing, humanity's impact on the earth and renewable energy, untapped sources for creativity in the arts and what we can learn from world cultures.

Click here to learn more:)