End of April Update

Hello! I know it's been FOREVER since I've written. My grandpa gently reminded me of that today. :) I know it's because I've nothing really new to report in regards to career or jobs. I might have a waitressing job. I'm told the hiring manager really liked me, but things are for some reason being held up on the corporate side. I'm working on giving out fliers to start giving clarinet lessons. I know I'll love that. I have missed playing so much. Also, I am planning on registering with a nannying agency. You may be wondering, "Why all of these jobs? Why not a normal one?" Well, believe me, the practical side of me is screaming at the prospect of these types of jobs because they're not stable. However, the heart of me knows these jobs are what I need because they're flexible enough to work with auditions and other entertainment industry appointments.

As far as stepping stones to my career...

I am trying to organize when to get my headshots done. My hair is not the length, style, and possibly color that I want right now...And to spend good money on headshots requires that I at least have the style and color right. Currently, I am working on that decision. Also, another investment I am making is singing lessons. I LOVE to sing. So much. I love it more than any activity in this world. I so look forward to going to heaven and sing in God's choir. Meanwhile, here on earth, I want to hone and use the talent He's given me to make people smile.

On the emotional front...

Not having a stable job is hard. I work demos every once in a while at grocery stores, but it's quite sporadic. I do get down sometimes because I don't have a set income or schedule, but I'm learning to accept this is where God needs me right now, and I just have to keep trying. He will provide. I did defer two of my school loan payments for six months, so that's helped me feel a little more at ease.

What's fun?

Last week, I went to Malibu for an hour. It was gorgeous to watch the sun go down, but I went when it was a wee bit nippy out, so that was an experience. On the drive home at night on the PCH, I could see Santa Monica Pier all lit up. It looked so beautiful. It's just those little things that make me smile. Yesterday morning, my friend, N, and I hosted a very cheery party for the Royal Wedding. We even dressed for the occasion, him in a suit with some snazzy shoes, and me in a dress with matching high heels. Five hours of broadcasting, a wedding, British accents (Yes, us too!), British cookies, a spot of tea, a brilliant sermon, Kate's marvelous dress, William and Harry nervous before the ceremony, and two balcony kisses--All add up to a perfect evening--er, morning, I mean. :) In honor of watching such a joyous occasion, history in the making, I've included a picture of the happy couple.

All in all, I am extremely happy to be out here, though I do get homesick at moments. I do miss the smell of Texas and my family, but God is adamant--This is my home, now, and I am happy to serve Him.

Stay Strong

Hello! I know I'm always writing late at night, but that's when I feel the most open and inspired. :)

Anyone who knows me knows I'm OBSESSED with the Disney Channel. I think it's because of all of the positive messages that they promote in their shows and music. "Believe in yourself." "Never lose hope." "Chase your dreams." Right now, the big one is "Stay Strong," popularized by Demi Lovato. So simple, you've heard it before, but I love it. Two words that are so simple yet mean so much. They encompass all that the Disney Channel stands for with the previous messages above. In LA, it is difficult to keep "sane," for lack of a better word. There are all of these people who are telling you who to be and what to do, money seems to take the cake more than art, and people are literally selling their souls for little tidbits of "success." It is important to remember to "Stay Strong" in the face of these things. It is important to remember what's more important than "success" as defined by Hollywood, and who we're living for: HIM. He will keep us sane. He will fight our battles. He will give us strength to do what He needs us to do for His glory.

I felt the need to say all of that to remind myself and others what we're here for. :)

All Is Well

Good morning! I feel at peace right now. I've been in a funk lately about finding a job and where I'm going in life---Something a lot of people, especially those my age, can relate to right now I'm sure. Things have been going well at my internship. I learn new things every day about how the process of casting works and what agents are looking for in actors (though that last one is still a little gray area to me).

I've been looking for paying jobs to supplement my living here. First, a few weeks ago I applied to five different Starbucks, but none were initially hiring. Second, I looked in retail, and it is a tough market, guys. I happened to walk into a store that was having open interviews, and there were at least fifteen of us there for the same position. We waited for an hour (Some people waited longer.), and on top of that, they had group interviews which I'd never experienced before. My next venture is going to be food service. I plan to walk into a lot of establishments and see if they're hiring night waitresses. I figure I need to work at night so I can have my days free to go to auditions, and I'll sleep somewhere in there. Haha. Also, as an added money-maker, I'm going to hopefully be able to give clarinet lessons to beginners in the area, and maybe do some nannying. We'll see!

As far as acting career stuff goes, I'm still reading my book that I mentioned in my last post, trying to extract every bit of useful information so I can plan my career as much as possible---Or as much as an actor really can. I've signed on with www.actorsaccess.com, and plan to pay the yearly fee where I can submit myself for auditions that come up. And, as always, I continue to watch actor interview videos to gain as many perspectives on the craft as possible.

I mentioned I am feeling at peace at the beginning of this, so I want to get back to that. Every time I get in a rut about things and think I cannot figure things out, I have to remember something. Maybe it's useful for other people, too, but when I get in that frustrated state I just have to remember one simple concept: God is in control. He is in control and no one else. As long as I am going down the right path, living my life according to His will, and feeding my soul with His voice, I am well. I have a lot of college debt, and rent is expensive, but He will provide. He loves us more than any of His creations---We are His masterpiece, and He will take care of us. We are well.

Blessings!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Here's a new update! Sorry it's been so long! Enjoy!

No, I'm Not Lucky. I'm Blessed. Yes.

It's incredibly early in the morning, I know, but I feel the need to write.

My internship at the agency is going really well. I like the work, and I'm learning a lot about the business. I got to read a script today that was written by one of my professors at school. It is so nice to get little reminders that a career in this business is attainable. I think we get a little either over-eager so we get disappointed when things are not as we pictured them to be, or we get down-right downcast because things are not moving as fast as we would like them to. I am guilty of both. However, I am still optimistic and confident that this industry holds the job I am meant to do. I just have to bump into it. I sometimes get discouraged because I don't feel "called" to anything, yet. I feel called to be in LA. Check. That's done. I still have no idea what I'm really supposed to be doing here. I pray about it, and I search for it. I think God is hiding it from me for now so I can learn something that will be useful to Him, and that is good ultimately because He knows what is best for His glory and what part I play in it. Still, I'm human and definitely impatient a lot of the time. I am blessed that He is so patient and forgiving. To paraphrase what Rachel McAdams said in a Vogue interview, "Sometimes it's better to not know what you're doing." Maybe it leads to better results because you're not married to a single idea or formula. I sincerely hope that is true.

When I started this blog, I promised myself that I wouldn't hide and pretend that everything is always coming up roses, or try to be perfect. That is my nature to just present the best face and be as put-together as possible, but in truth, that is an act, and doing that helps no one. I find the best way to learn is from others' mistakes, so I will do my best to present mine so that others may not make the same ones. Also, it does not help me to try to be perfect because in simplest form, it is a lie, and no one benefits from a lie. Anyway, I hope you find my blog interesting, and at the very least entertaining sometimes. Thank you for reading! :)

Right Place. Right Path.

Good evening! I'm too sleepy to make a video right now, but I realized I haven't updated in a bit, so here we go. This week has been pretty busy. I got to explore LA with some Baylor friends, look for jobs, apartment hunt with my future roommate, and do training for my internship!

Apartment hunting went really well. My roommate and I found a great one-bedroom for $995. The landlady was so incredibly kind, and I really feel like we can trust her to be good to us. We haven't signed yet, but the lady said she'd have another open by next month or a single (studio) for $895 open by the time my roommate moves out here in May, and then we can move in. So, we feel so blessed that we can find things in our price range. God provides!

Thursday afternoon, a bunch of us went to Santa Monica beach. The water was freezing cold! Regardless, we had fun running through the sand and surf and exploring the pier. Two of my friends rode the solar-powered ferris wheel. That night we all went to a little dessert shop in The Valley, and had great conversation with an acting coach and his assistant. I find it so inspiring that someone can hold so much passion in him for acting, for film, the theatre. When I asked him what made him choose to become an acting coach, he said, "It was a God thing." When he graduated from high school, people would come up to him and ask him to help them with their scripts, and he would effectively coach them. So, now, he's living a life he loves, coaching and working on the craft. He basically just bumped into his calling. So amazing.

On Friday I started my internship at an agency. I was incredibly nervous going in, but I really needed not be. All of the agents and interns are really nice. I got training on the computer of how to send out appointment emails and how to submit people for auditions. It is very repetitive work, but it's not too bad. I'm not sure office work is really my cup of tea, but I feel so lucky to have gotten this internship, and I'm hoping it can get me where I need to be.

Today, I spent my time buying groceries, cooking dinner (pork chops and mashed potatoes), and cleaning. I also got to talk to a friend who's going to medical school, and it was wonderful to hear from someone from back home. Odd thing for me---I'm not homesick, yet. I figured I would have been by now, but LA feels like my home. It's like my heart has always been here, and I just had to come and find it. I'm praying for God to give me direction out here. I know I'm in the right place. I just need to find the right path.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I hope you're having a lovely weekend!

I Got An Internship!

I love LA. Now, I just need to get a paying job!