practice makes perfect

 To say that I love musical theatre would be an understatement. I really, really, really adore it.  I try to soak it all in - the butterflies in my stomach, adrenalin rushing through my veins, warm lights beaming on the stage, singing & dancing, everything.

 And last night? Last night was the first show for Annie Get Your Gun. Considering several people commented that it was the best show LYT has ever done, I would say it's safe to say it went very well.

This show has been a great one - I am so grateful for my role as Minnie Oakley and getting to perform with all of these wonderful actors.

miscellany//socks + raleigh

If you're like me, you love wearing knee high, soft, extra stretchy, argyle socks. Guess what? Target has them for $1.50. Jackpot. Go get some; they will change your life forever.

Onto more important things...

After fifteen years of moping around, I finally got to visit my state's capital. The beautiful, Raleigh, North Carolina.  My brother is on a mock trial team and that is where they competed.





And did I mention that they won the regional? Yes ma'am, they did! We were all ecstatic...Though I probably looked something like a zombie near the end of the night when they were announced the winner. 'Twas a long day, indeed...but a good long day.

Downtown Raleigh is oh-so-beautiful. And shiny. And you know that beautiful + shiny = lots of photos for Anna Gray to take.

You all would have fallen in love with this coffee shop. I was head over heels...

Because virtually everything was photo worthy.

This is probably my favorite photo that I took. Something about the contrast between the vibrant lights and the inky darkness makes me happy.

A few other facts...

>>Today I completed day two of driving for driver's ed<<

>> Practices for Annie Get Your Gun are going wonderfully<<

>>Fiddler on the Roof is quite a funny movie when watched with a friend<<

Is anything interesting going on your way?

on a crisp, warm evening...

Yesterday evening, I had the privilege of photo-shooting an adorable little family that goes to our home-school group. They are full of creativity, amusement and...well...happiness in general.

The lighting was beautiful. And wonderful. And perfect. And it would have made a scrumptious dessert.

Not to mention, all five kids were awesome to work with. They were the epitome of a photographer's perfect model.

It was a good day. A very, very good day.

hello & good-bye

As you have clearly noticed, bella vita hasn't been updated in a little over a week. Why?

My week in a nutshell...

<> Tutored in the morning and Tied up loose ends school-wise.
<> Home-school group and auditions for Annie Get Your Gun.
<> School.
<> School and callbacks for Annie Get Your Gun.
<> School and then two friends over.
<> Two friends over and then to the library.
<> Church & out to eat with my MeeMaw
<>  Tutored and finished school.
<> Home-school group and parent meeting for Annie Get Your Gun.

Yes, pretty busy week. The good news though, is that I got my first speaking role in the play! My character is Minnie, one of Annie Oakley's siblings. This will be fun.

How has your week been?

Good-night. ♥

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve. I always thoroughly enjoy it when it comes around. Just the thought that Christmas is only one day away makes me feel all warm and fluttery inside! What's not to like about it, anyway?  My family and I always have my MeeMaw over for supper and later in the evening exchange gifts.

To say that I get excited before opening a gift would be a vast understatement. Let me tell you, I am still the epitome of a little kid when it comes to opening gifts. Just hearing the sharp tearing of the paper and knowing I am only seconds away from seeing what the gift is creates butterflies in my stomach.

Forgive me for writing a run-on sentence. Ahem.

My family, my MeeMaw and I had a wonderful time this evening. We had {a huge and positively heavenly} supper, exchanged gifts and chit-chatted for quite a while. Good times.

MeeMaw prepared a simply wonderful, home-made red velvet cake complete with home-made cream cheese icing. Words cannot describe how wonderful it was!

And just because I felt the need, I photographed  what the day looked like:

Gloomy yet beautiful.

Who doesn't try on toe socks with their new pair of Toms? I'm so macho.

Merry Christmas, dear friends!

hello there, i am an authentic person

Alright lovelies. I am linking up with my dear blogger friend, Abigail Kraft's, authentic people blog party. Sounds like an amusing shindig, no?

For those of you who do not know me {or know me well}, my name is Anna Gray; though you are more than welcome to call me simply Anna or AG! I would like to start off saying "Welcome to bella vita!" and I am just tickled pink that you are here! Seriously. I am.

I am a Christian fourteen year old home-schooler and adore photography, baking, acting, and of course, blogging.

Enough with my rambling and on with the interrogation (wink, wink).

What's the nerdiest/geekiest/weirdest thing about you?

Oh me, oh my. There is a vast amount of nerdy/geeky/weird things about me. Well let us see here...I literally run through our house. The majority of the time I never walk to get to a place in my home. Also, my "hang out" clothes are a pair of rompers. What can I say? They are comfortable. Oh and if I am bored, I get out some old Barbie dolls of mine and do *ahem* engagement photos with them.

If you could live in a fictional universe from any book, movie, or television show, what would it be?

Once Upon a Time. Hands down.

Little or big, practical or frivolous, what is one of your favorite items in your house?

It is itty bitty, but honestly...it is the funky little duct tape bow on my hamster's cage. He is a boy, but what can I say? The bow spices his cage up a little

Do you like animated movies? If so, what is your favorite?

Heck yes, I do! Shrek is my favorite because it is just plain adorable. How can you possibly turn down a green ogre with teeny little ears?

What is your favorite household chore?

Probably laundry. It takes less than five minutes (the majority of the time) and there is just something about pouring that liquid detergent that makes me feel rather happy. Dorky, eh? Neh.

What's your favorite thing to get at Starbucks (or your favorite coffee shop)?

Did someone just say Starbucks?! Goodness, my favorite coffee would most certainly be the iced white chocolate mocha. It tastes like pure Heaven. If Heaven has a taste.
 

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Honestly, I am not that outgoing when it comes to pizza. I typically stick with just plain 'ole cheese. I will eat other toppings, but usually do not choose to do so.  

Waffles or pancakes?

Oof, this is a tricky one. It depends on what mood I'm in. Pancakes are a staple at our house, so I will just go with pancakes {chocolate chip pancakes, to be exact}!

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Do you like to play games? If so, what is your favorite?

Why yes - yes I do! My favorite would have to be either Life or Sorry. Both are such fun!  

Have you ever let anyone win a game?

Heeeeck no. *grin*  

Have you ever dyed your hair?

Nope! I do not plan to either. Ok - so maybe once I begin experiencing grey/white hairs I will. Maybe.

Do you make your bed every morning?

Yes, I do. However, if turns into a horrible mess once I start school.

Picasso or Norman Rockwell?

Picasso! Quirky, abstract, funky art...I like it.
 

Do you like carpet, tile, or hardwood floors?

Hardwood flooring is shiny...therefore I like it.  

If you could put one thing in a safe under your bed, what would it be?

Sasha, my D3000. And my lens. And the stuffed animal I have had since I was five years old. Whoops, that was three things. Oh well.

What's your favorite condiment?

Parsley. Not only does it smell good but it tastes oh-so-heavenly!

Have you ever thrown up on someone (excluding when you were a child)?

Heck NO. Most of you know that I have an extreme phobia of vomiting. Seriously. The last time I vomited was when I was nine years old. Let's just say that I don't handle puking nor the sight of puking very well (for example, I had a panic attack on a bus when a girl in front of me starting spewing.). Someone has almost thrown up on me though (when I was eleven years old).

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

Um...Um...I simply cannot recall.

Think fast...what's the first song that pops into your head?

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga.

(photo not mine)

What are you waiting for? Hop over to Abigail's blog and link up!

spice & pepper

Because our new laptop has a webcam...

Because making videos = fun...

Because our cousins came over...

Because we wanted to...

We made a video...

p.s. wondering why this is titled "spice and pepper"? well, we wanted a creative, quirky name for the video and dubbed those our names....thought we don't say so in the video itself.

a "sweet" sixteen, indeed.

One of my best friends, Beth, recently had her sixteenth birthday party. She and her family asked me (eep!) if I would be interested in being the designated photographer for the party. Hmmm, let me think here...

Heck yes!

And I therefore photographed the entire party. Even the people who refused to let me take their picture, got their picture (secretly) taken.

 Everybody had a wonderful time and the day was made of {lots of} sugar, water, laughing, games, and chit-chatting.

I forgot to mention, I downloaded the thirty day free trial of Photoshop CS5. Can we say in love? This here picture, I made have a bit of a vintage look.



They purchased a $200 cake complete with zebra striped fondant  just for the festivity.

Kidding. About it being $200. Acutally, Beth's fourteen year old sister made it.

I know. Wow, right?!  I believe to my soul I could never make such a masterpiece. Swoon.



And of course, our lovely birthday girl! 

 

 

For those who have already turned sixteen, what do you remember about your party? Or just turning sixteen?

For those of you who haven't yet turned sixteen, what is your dream sweet sixteenth party?