Got to do a super fun audition yesterday! Been rehearsing for this one for a while, so I'm pleased that this one is complete.

Want to help refugees fleeing not only Ukraine but also, Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan... ? Through Choose Love, you can donate money, goods, volunteer, and fundraise:

http://helprefugees.org/

"When we attach ourselves to national identities, then we enter into a cycle of conflict. I didn't choose where I was born or who to be or what people would call me. I'm a hybrid, from a cultural perspective, but I don't think in these terms. I'm more simple than that." - Ashrof Barhom

I have another audition I'm looking forward to! Also having fun posting footage I've gotten to shoot with super talented colleagues and friends. You can see them on my reels page probably later today.

For more urgent news, if you want to help refugees of Ukraine, Airbnb posted a page where you can host refugees or donate directly:
 
https://www.airbnb.org/help-ukraine

"Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don't give up hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm and genuine people." - Tina Desae

I've been struggling with writing my weekly blog, as it seems inappropriate considering we are witnessing the beginnings of a war that could turn into World War III. Through this, I am wishing everyone safety and peace. If you'd like to donate to help Ukrainians fighting to protect their country, here are some good options:

Ukraininan Red Cross:
https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation?_cv=1

Polish Red Cross:
https://pck.pl/wspieraj-nas/

World Central Kitchen:
https://donate.wck.org/give/236738/#!/donation/checkout

Vostok SOS:
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/

Voices of Children:
https://voices.org.ua/en/donat/

Media support:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-ukraines-media-going?fbclid=IwAR2jWrF8nx344X94zBesGMlM1pMEPbV8vMv1N5Dvg5-WGQXcdBzA8QDDGF0

Kyiv School of Economics:
https://kse.ua/support/donation

Humanity & Inclusion:
https://www.hi-us.org/support-ukraine

UNHCR:
https://give.unrefugees.org/220224ukr_emer_d_4983/

Global Empowerment Mission:
https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/mission/ukraine-crisis/

Community Organized Relief Effort:
https://donate.coreresponse.org/give/393950/#!/donation/checkout

International Rescue Committee:
https://help.rescue.org/donate-fr/ukraine-crisis?initialms=ws_modl_fy22_ukraine_mmus&ms=ws_modl_fy22_ukraine_mmus

Maltesser International:
https://www.malteser-international.org/en/donation.html


Do you want a non-war-related distraction? Here is Major Buttons curled up on my backpack while snuggling with his hedgehog toy:

For creative work on my end, I've been having fun auditioning and getting ready for more auditions.

Again, stay safe, everyone.❤️

"You have to laugh at the absurdity of this entire industry and the absurdity of what it is we do. If I didn't, I'd go crazy." - Mila Kunis

I just had an audition! Also moving forward in scheduling to audition for The Actors Studio. I'm really happy about both of these things, but I'm also just tired right now. Is it too late in the day to take a nap?

"Stay true to what makes you happy, because that always ends up producing the best result." - Ashley Olsen

Had another excellent audition and a shoot today!

Catch all of you next week!

"With acting, I started very young, and I'd performed for a lot of children in boarding schools, late at night after the dormitory lights were out. I'd have a flashlight, and I'd be Count Dracula, or Shakespeare, or Yogi Bear, and leap from bunk to bunk. I loved the laughter; I liked the way it made people feel." - CCH Pounder

I've had two excellent auditions in the past two days and a great shoot yesterday! See?

I'll let you know about what happens with my most recent auditions, of course.

How are all of you? Are you okay? I know I have to check in on myself to see how I'm doing, so I hope all of you check in on yourselves, too.

"I was reading some Bob Dylan interview where he said, 'It beats nine-to-five. It beat it yesterday, it beats it today, and it will beat it tomorrow.' That's how I feel. I just thank God that I'm able to make a living doing something that I can have a good time doing, and be creative." - Owen Wilson 

I just came home from posing for portrait photo shoots at the International Center of Photography, then I'm going to work on editing some video footage I have from shoots I've been in over the past few weeks. Also need to show that I can do CPR on adults and infants to management personnel of the CPR training company I work for by end of day tomorrow. Yes, it's a lot, but it's a lot of good, so I'll take it.

"Desperation will allow you to do incredible things in the name of survival."
 - Colin Farrell

I did an audition about two hours ago today. It made for a great way to spend an afternoon! There is always something so rewarding in sitting down with a new (or new-to-you) script, going over the plot, or the story, the characters involved, then creating this brand new character through how you connect to the words on the page. It's wildly satisfying, but then you have to let it go immediately after. When you audition, it's a short performance for a limited audience, then you release it so you can move on to whatever comes next. It's so much fun, because this gives you an unlimited number of these performances you can perform in!

"People say, "You've got everything going for you! You can do anything you want!" But I get nervous. I'm confident that I'll work, but I hope it's something that will mean something to me. Sometimes I feel like I'm behind and running out of time as it is. There's still a lot more for me to do." - Joaquin Phoenix

No exciting updates for this week, but that's alright. That's something I need to keep telling myself. Do any of you freak out a little if you're not working on something fabulous at all points in time? It's an unhealthy fixation I have. Don't follow my lead on that. It's not helpful at all. 

"My advice for achieving success is to make a career choice that reflects your passion. Then work on your craft a little bit each day, even if someone's not paying you to do it. " - Giancarlo Esposito