With all the days I have spent IN Los Angeles it has been a little over a week and alot has happened, in my mind anyway...The second or third day I called my dad almost in tears because I hated it here. Several of the students were telling me there thoughts about the school we are attending and it influenced me greatly. Made me want to leave the school and study somewhere else. I soon realized that I need to stop listening to people that know nothing about the business and stick with my instincts and make connections with those who have experience in the business and KNOW what they are talking about.
The school isn't providing headshots until February. I was going to wait until then, but am going to get them sooner myself. I would rather miss class for an audition than attend class and get a minimum wage job I hate to just pay the bills. So, I am researching photographers and am signing up with an extra casting.
I looked up Mosaic church and started going to a small group near where I live with people my age who are all in the music or film industry. This week they went to see "Where the wild things are" for fun. They are starting the small group again next week. It was so refreshing to talk with people that love the Lord and that I have something in common with. I am going to Mosaic church for the first time tomorrow night. I am excited and ready to worship with other believers.
Last night, a couple of us went to a fellow class mates house to hang out. A girl approached me and asked me why I don't like to get drunk. Asked me if I was religious, a Christian? I said yes, but explained in further detail about my relationship with God. She went to tell me that she was the same way before she came to LA and was also a leader in the youth, but being around people that don't believe or live the same way has caused her to stumble. I encouraged her and told her I was struggling with temptation in several different areas myself. She is planning on come to church and the small group with me. I felt like a core advisor again, not in the fact that I was advising her in different areas of her life, but that I knew she wouldn't listen...haha. :) That is the Holy Spirits work!
I'm not gonna lie, it is hard! Scripture and my love for my Beloved is far more better than any earthly pleasures I could partake in for what would only last a moment. I am so thankful I have God, without Him I would really be NOTHING.
My prayer for you and myself is Psalm 86:11 "Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name." Lord, give us an UNDIVIDED heart, that our eyes would be for only One!
living wide awake,
Nikki
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
The first week
It has been a week since I last arrived in LA and it has been amazing! I had a couple classes and then Tuesday after class my dad and I drove to San Fran to visit my brother. He took us everywhere, including a 4 star restaurant for free where I ate the most delicious steak my mouth has ever tasted.
After spending 2 days with my dad and brother, I said my goodbyes and traveled to the Sacramento area to attend a bachelorette party and wedding for my good friend Meghan and her now husband Jared. It was phenomenal! I could talk non-stop about how great it was to party every night with people I adore.
Sunday I drove back to LA and was in bed by 7:30pm I was so exhausted from the drive and all the festivities. I woke up today for the first time in my new "home" for 5 more months. I had some much needed time with Jesus, attended scene study class, got lost on the metro and went searching for a job. I stopped at a couple places and am going to an open interview tomorrow at CPK. pray for me and wish me luck!
Well, I have lines to memorize so that is all for now....
living wide awake,
Nikki
After spending 2 days with my dad and brother, I said my goodbyes and traveled to the Sacramento area to attend a bachelorette party and wedding for my good friend Meghan and her now husband Jared. It was phenomenal! I could talk non-stop about how great it was to party every night with people I adore.
Sunday I drove back to LA and was in bed by 7:30pm I was so exhausted from the drive and all the festivities. I woke up today for the first time in my new "home" for 5 more months. I had some much needed time with Jesus, attended scene study class, got lost on the metro and went searching for a job. I stopped at a couple places and am going to an open interview tomorrow at CPK. pray for me and wish me luck!
Well, I have lines to memorize so that is all for now....
living wide awake,
Nikki
Monday, October 12, 2009
First day in LA
Well...I made it to Hollywood in 3 days. The most rushed road trip I have ever embarked on and I hope to never do it again. :) Several things I have learned from this trip...
1) never rush a road trip
2) lack of sleep and long hours of driving cause one to have the attitude of the devil
3) stretch every time you exit the car
4) fill up on gas when on bathroom breaks to prevent more stops than necessary
5) If you ever want to know the good, the bad and the ugly of a person take them on a road trip
etc...
I arrived in LA on Sunday around 6ish and met up with my Dad's friend Eric who is a film and sound editing teacher at UCLA. He knows the area very well and told me several restaurants, theaters and events I should check out. He also took us to an amazing Thai restaurant called Thai Pepper. It was DELICIOUS!
I had my first day of class today. It was good. We looked over a portion of a script and did a mock audition. I was told it was good for my first read....do they all say that? :/ My teacher is a producer and former actor. She was on Punky Brewster and Family Matters (Cheri Johnson). She also has a safe house for young kids, and is taking the class on Wednesday to feed the homeless. I will not be able to attend, which is very unfortunate. Hopefully it won't be the last time.
I have walked so much today, my legs are having a difficult time functioning correctly. I saw my first famous star tonight at the Kodak Theater: Eva Longoria. She is just as beautiful in person as she is on T.V. maybe even prettier.
It is not emotionally easy to follow your dreams. I truly believe without my relationship with Christ, I would not have had the confidence or the guts to come here. I am glad I did! How I would describe this change is like your first day of high school. You are not sure what's going on and are scared to death of what the year will look like, but you continue to go everyday cause you know its what you should do. Following our dreams and what we are called to is in my opinion very similar. So keep going despite your emotions because a lot of me is saying pack up and go back to where I came from.
living wide awake,
Nikki
1) never rush a road trip
2) lack of sleep and long hours of driving cause one to have the attitude of the devil
3) stretch every time you exit the car
4) fill up on gas when on bathroom breaks to prevent more stops than necessary
5) If you ever want to know the good, the bad and the ugly of a person take them on a road trip
etc...
I arrived in LA on Sunday around 6ish and met up with my Dad's friend Eric who is a film and sound editing teacher at UCLA. He knows the area very well and told me several restaurants, theaters and events I should check out. He also took us to an amazing Thai restaurant called Thai Pepper. It was DELICIOUS!
I had my first day of class today. It was good. We looked over a portion of a script and did a mock audition. I was told it was good for my first read....do they all say that? :/ My teacher is a producer and former actor. She was on Punky Brewster and Family Matters (Cheri Johnson). She also has a safe house for young kids, and is taking the class on Wednesday to feed the homeless. I will not be able to attend, which is very unfortunate. Hopefully it won't be the last time.
I have walked so much today, my legs are having a difficult time functioning correctly. I saw my first famous star tonight at the Kodak Theater: Eva Longoria. She is just as beautiful in person as she is on T.V. maybe even prettier.
It is not emotionally easy to follow your dreams. I truly believe without my relationship with Christ, I would not have had the confidence or the guts to come here. I am glad I did! How I would describe this change is like your first day of high school. You are not sure what's going on and are scared to death of what the year will look like, but you continue to go everyday cause you know its what you should do. Following our dreams and what we are called to is in my opinion very similar. So keep going despite your emotions because a lot of me is saying pack up and go back to where I came from.
living wide awake,
Nikki
Monday, October 5, 2009
the places we go...
I got accepted into the "Hollywood Film and Acting Academy". I had the option of starting the September program late or joining in January, I decided to join the September group late and am glad to do so. The program gives free housing to students, so now all I need to do is find a job, which from what I am hearing from the school is easier than it is down here. I have a good feeling about finding a job. I'm not worried.
I thought I might talk about the places we go in life and how that can impact our lives...I was talking with a new friend of mine tonight and she was talking with me about the different places she has gone and every place she visited had a part in shaping who she is today. The same goes for me: Costa Rica, Bolivia, Texas, Panama, all the places in which I have visited for more than a 2 week time period has shaped me into who I am today, but it probably has to do with the people I encountered in those places not necessarily the street signs, jungles and country side. Anyway, one place the I would love to travel to is Italy. I was at a cafe today called "Cafe Duomo" with Italian workers and I loved everything about them. There accent, language, hospitality, cookies, coffee, food. It is all so beautiful! Some day I will go, maybe even film a movie there. ;-)
(you know you want to be on one of them boats!)
Well, I am going to do what I always do when I am down about leaving my friends, family and need inspiration: watch a Meryl Streep movie. Tonight is a new one..."...First Do No Harm".
If you have never left the "comfort" of you home state or country, I highly encourage you to do so. Get up the courage to get a passport and go on the adventure of what could be your life. Don't sit around and wait for your desires to come true, cause it won't happen. Get off your butt and go live the life you know you were created for!
living wide awake,
Nikki
I thought I might talk about the places we go in life and how that can impact our lives...I was talking with a new friend of mine tonight and she was talking with me about the different places she has gone and every place she visited had a part in shaping who she is today. The same goes for me: Costa Rica, Bolivia, Texas, Panama, all the places in which I have visited for more than a 2 week time period has shaped me into who I am today, but it probably has to do with the people I encountered in those places not necessarily the street signs, jungles and country side. Anyway, one place the I would love to travel to is Italy. I was at a cafe today called "Cafe Duomo" with Italian workers and I loved everything about them. There accent, language, hospitality, cookies, coffee, food. It is all so beautiful! Some day I will go, maybe even film a movie there. ;-)
(you know you want to be on one of them boats!)
Well, I am going to do what I always do when I am down about leaving my friends, family and need inspiration: watch a Meryl Streep movie. Tonight is a new one..."...First Do No Harm".
If you have never left the "comfort" of you home state or country, I highly encourage you to do so. Get up the courage to get a passport and go on the adventure of what could be your life. Don't sit around and wait for your desires to come true, cause it won't happen. Get off your butt and go live the life you know you were created for!
living wide awake,
Nikki
Thursday, October 1, 2009
the people you meet...
I was thinking about the quote that was stated in my profile "It's about the people you meet, the places you go, and the books you read." and it is so true! People, places and books can change your life, at least in mine they have. I think back during my time in Texas and even now where those three things have effected who I am today. In case you haven't noticed I am a people person. I love people. I love finding out who someone really is. What experiences have they gone through to become the person they are right now and then seeing the beauty of their life! :)
I take ballroom dance lessons at a studio near my house and I adore some of the people there. There have been few people in my life that I have encountered in such a short period of time and felt instantly connected with like I do with them. They are so dear to my heart and words could not describe how much I have appreciated them during this season of my life. Each one of them is beautiful in there own unique way and it is a joy to see them.
Relationships are so valuable, but how many of us don't take the time to really invest in them? We are too busy...It takes too much work...I'm tired and it's too draining, but you know deep down that when you actually do it, you reap so much joy and it was worth the work.
Remember: It's about the people you meet, the places you go and the books you read.
Maybe tomorrow I will talk about the places we go...maybe. :)
living wide awake,
Nikki
I take ballroom dance lessons at a studio near my house and I adore some of the people there. There have been few people in my life that I have encountered in such a short period of time and felt instantly connected with like I do with them. They are so dear to my heart and words could not describe how much I have appreciated them during this season of my life. Each one of them is beautiful in there own unique way and it is a joy to see them.
Relationships are so valuable, but how many of us don't take the time to really invest in them? We are too busy...It takes too much work...I'm tired and it's too draining, but you know deep down that when you actually do it, you reap so much joy and it was worth the work.
Remember: It's about the people you meet, the places you go and the books you read.
Maybe tomorrow I will talk about the places we go...maybe. :)
living wide awake,
Nikki
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