Boston Bound

I was so excited to come home to Massachusetts and visit for a week. There was so much on the agenda, I was worried that I would not be able to fit everything in. I'm very happy to say I accomplished just about every thing that I wanted to do while visiting my home state. I flew on a red eye Tuesday night, arriving in Logan on Wednesday. I flew Virgin America and it was amazing. I highly recommend flying Virgin, purple lights, relaxing-spa-like music, it made the whole plane feel like first class. Although I had very little sleep on the way over, I was wide awake when I saw my mom pull up to the terminal!

"I want Dunkin' Donuts." I told her, explaining that there are no Dunkin's in the great state of Cali-for-ni-aye. After getting a mocha iced coffee, we headed to my brother's house to see my perfect nephew, Callum. He and I laughed and played and joked around. He has a great sense of humor for a five month old.

The next day I spent the whole day with my sister. We went to the mall, went shopping and bought some cute new out fits. I was especially happy about this mirror I bought, we each got one because... well because I think it's cute that we have matching mirrors! We got our eye brow's done and the went to her house and had veggie burgers for lunch - which by the way - were delicious!

That night we went to JJBoomers for some serious karaoke. There were so many people there and I was so excited to see everyone. There were friends I hadn't seen in 15 years, co-workers I hadn't seen in 10 years, it was an extremely nostalgic night.

Me, Ashley, Val

Friday I spent the day in Springfield, visiting my old work, Aeropostale in the Eastfield Mall, have dinner with some friends and then Karaoke, of course, at Applebee's Boston Road with Vinnie the Hitman and DJ Denise. Visiting the people who had donated money for me to audition for Idol was amazing. It really felt like the last year had come full circle.

Saturday was the big day, the whole reason I flew 3,000 miles across the country. The Hometown Expo was even more amazing than I thought it would be. I got to meet Ashley Rodriguez, which was awesome, along with meeting, and jamming with, Randy Vera - a bad ass guitarist who I look forward to working with in the near future. Also, I was able to judge the "Hometown Idol Singing Contest"! Nineteen kids sang and everyone did a great job, I had no idea Walpole, MA was filled with so much talent! Everyone working at the Expo was so nice and I can't wait to go back next year.

Saturday night I attended the Annual MCZ Awards at my old College Theatre Company, The MCC Theatre. Thomas Orion did a great job hosting, with co-host Courtney Jones. I was glad to have a chance to visit the theatre while I was in town.

Sunday was spent with family, at my cousin Maggie's graduation party. The food was great, all my family was there and it was so nice to see every one. I just hope my cousins, Maggie and Jack come visit me in Hollywood soon!

  

Maggie, Jack, Kerri, Hannah, Felicia, John Kim, Callum, Ryan and Me.

The last two days of my trip was spent with friends and family and I am so glad that I was able to see my nephew as much as I did. He is getting so big, and I hate not being around to hang out with him, but I am so appreciative of the time I do get to see him and when I am the cool auntie that takes him to Disney Land, it will all be worth it.

You can take the asshole outta Mass but...

I'll always be a Masshole. I have been missing home so much lately, so I'm super stoked that I get to visit home soon. There are so many people that I want to see! For starters my sister, who I'm just crazy about. She recently was inducted into the national honor society and I wasn't there to celebrate with her. I guess one of the costs of following your dreams is missing important events in the lives of the ones you love. But I will make up for lost time soon...

I'm also excited to see other family members as well. My mom of course and my brother and sister-in-law and MOST OF ALL my lovely nephew, Cali. He and I are very tight. He tells me everything. I love the little guy and I just want to snuggle his little face. He's only a few months old but already, we just click.

I'm also excited to see my friends! I miss everyone so much, Chris and Josh, Chrissy, Jessy, Caitlin, Thomas Orion and so many more... I can't wait to Karaoke with my friends in both eastern and western Mass. I can't wait to go back to Applebee's, where my Idol adventure began almost exactly one year ago.

A major highlight of my trip to Massachusetts is, obviously, the reason I'm going! THE HOMETOWN WEEKLY EXPO! There will be a Hometown Idol singing contest and I am going to get to meet Micky Ward and Dicky Ekland!

Living in Hollywood is a dream come true, but I'll get home sick no matter where I go. I'm glad that even if I live 3,000 miles away, I can always call Massachusetts home.