One month ago I was lamenting the end of the college football season. I was stressed out with graduate school admissions and worried I'd never find the perfect job that would let me live out all my aspirations as a professional actress or writer. I watched my Chicago Bears implode in the Super Bowl and have patiently watched the college basketball scene alter its shape every weekend.

Just when you least it expect it, life slaps you in the butt and shakes you silly. I had nailed my admissions tests, was trying to find money to pay for school, and accepted the fact that I was not going to see my dream of performing on a major stage. I was resolved that this was how it was going to be...that was until my phone rang on Tuesday morning at 11AM.

"Tracy, are you available to move to join the Las Vegas company of 'Mamma Mia?' This isn't an offer, just checking availability." I was stunned. I started to sweat and silently freak out. Las Vegas? Mamma Mia? Move? Now? When? How long? Holy sh*$! How was I supposed to go through my day, wondering if my life was about to change?

By 2:00PM I had my offer: a permanent replacement in the Las Vegas production of 'Mamma Mia' at Mandalay Bay, a fully-furnished corporate apartment for one year, a car, a killer salary, a 401K, full health insurance and the reality that my oldest dream was about to become a reality! To top it off, I was going to be in Vegas and starting rehearsals during All-Star week!!!

Of course the boyfriend was concerned. 'How can you leave me? What will I do? It's Vegas: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!' I couldn't blame him. If my boyfriend told me 'Hey, I have to move to Vegas for work,' I'd be skeptical too. After many long conversations, he came to see the positive side of this situation: he'll have to come to Vegas twice a month to visit his girlfriend! (That isn't so bad!)

Sure, it's a great job and the long distance thing will suck, but this is my one-in-a-lifetime chance to realize a dream that I've had since I was a little girl. The best part is, as I'll be working in Mandalay Bay this week in the theater, just a few steps away from the NBA All-Star Jam Session at Mandalay's Convention Center. You can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be wandering down that hall a few times a day, hoping to catch a glimpse of the All-Star line-up and plunder some swag.

My dream has come true, I'm moving to Vegas, and I also got engaged last night. Yea, it's been a big week. I'm nervous as hell, thrilled beyond belief, and scared to death. Who needs an NBA All-Star when I just became the luckiest Broadway Baby with a gorgeous diamond ring to flaunt around the strip? School is still in the cards, but I'll have to wait for those admissions letters before I can plan the next step. While the All-Star events will seem unbelievable, nothing compares to the week I've had or the year I am about to embark on. Life comes at you fast, but I don't need Nationwide to keep me safe: I've got my love, my dream, and my imagination to keep me afloat!

I'm back and will be posting the events from Mandalay all week. Cheers!