And So It Begins

I just dropped off Andrew at the airport. In less than one week he'll be getting married to Erin, a lovely girl who we (the Chicago peeps) have come to know and love within the past year or so. Their wedding is on Saturday, and to say that we (the Chicago peeps) are thrilled and excited for them is an understatement - it's all we've been talking about for months!! :)

Another reason for my giddy, little-girl excitement is because after one year of living in la i'll be reunited with my wonderful Chicago friends!!! We're more family than friends. We're a large group, all from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and upbringings...but for some reason or another, we all found each other a few years ago (some even before that), and have remained a amazing, loving and supportive group of friends. You really couldn't ask to find better people. And now, thanks to Andrew and Erin's big day, we'll all be reunited very soon! :)

Things I'll Never

The List of Things I'll Never...

1. i'll never look at a beautiful sunset/sunrise and be unappreciative of the beauty of life.

2. i'll never look at you and not point out all of your wonderful qualities. some people take notice of the Light but won't let you know that they've recognized it in you. i'm not one of those people.

3. i'll never be able to drive without listening to music. it adds flavor to the mis en scen and makes the art of driving delicious.

4. i'll never order any drink but water at a restaurant. i like the taste of fresh H2O. Always have, always will.

5. i 'll never prefer flying to driving. (refer to #3).

6. i'll never be one of those girls who dates just to date. it's not in me.

7. i'll never have a small, quiet laugh...i have a big, hearty laugh (like julia roberts) and i love it. it's just another form of expression :)

8. i'll never be the type of person who lacks the motivation to keep in touch. i'm a communicator. let's talk.

9. i'll never be the type of girl to break your heart just for the fun of it.

10. i'll never enjoy cold weather. never.

11. i'll never tell your secrets. just ask my friends. i'm a vault.

Snapshots from Cali

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Sometimes

Sometimes it's not about where you've been, but where you are.
Sometimes it just takes listening to the wind to bring you back to who you are.
Sometimes it's all about the sun and sky.
Sometimes it's just the music.

A friend and I were deepening on the Long Obligatory Prayer tonight, and the theme that stood out the most to me was detachment. It's clear that when I'm praying, I'm praying for the Will and the Light of God to guide me. And whatever that means, I have to be okay with, because ultimately His will is my will - even if I'm unaware of it at the time that I'm praying. His will is always what's best. I know that. This theme consistently runs through my life/tests. I seem to keep coming up with the same tests. Maybe I'm just not learning my lesson. I feel as though, in a way, I have been asleep for the past six months, not waking up to reality and seeing life/my tests for what they are. Tests. I'm waking up, thanks to some amazing friends who've snapped me out of my slight coma, my vain imaginings, and brought the beauty of reality to me. I think I'm beginning to also understand the concept of veils much more clearly now, too. I'm not unhappy or ungrateful or even mad. Frustrated, yes, but that's mostly at myself for seeking out, attaching myself to, and staying in this situation - this test that is on repeat. repeat. repeat.

It's a new day. Anything is possible...

I've Got To Shine :)

"I go for mine, I got to Shine -- I'ma get on the TV momma, I'ma put s**t down!" - Kanye West

Go see me in Batman, The Dark Knight!!! I'm clearly visible in two scenes in the movie! How lucky is that?? I thought at best one scene would make it to the cutting room floor - but lo and behold, there I am in both scenes in the biggest (money-making) movie of all time. SWEEEEET.

I'm feeling sooo much better. The past month or so I was feeling really out of my element, missing my friends in Chicago, working too much, and not having much of a social life (which is something new and kinda strange for me). I realized that I needed to stop, breathe, relax, and find some balance in my life. Extremely grateful for everything that's been happening, but also needing to prioritize and focus on the whole picture - that balance/happiness that we're all striving for...turning to God and letting go really helped, of course...it feels good to take care of yourself, and love yourself. It brings me back to my Center. It feels good. Yeah. I'm shining again. :)

LA is finally feeling like home. Once I started going out again, I realized that I really do have a lot of friends here/people who love me and want to be with me. Welcome home.

Meme

I found this meme while i was reading some new blogs...things like this always seem interesting to me, so i thought i'd indulge :)

20 years ago. I was 6 years old. Living with my family in Southeast Asia. Attending an international school and playing with my Barbies any spare chance I got. I think creating stories and 'lives' for them served as my creative outlet, because I was able to let my imagination roam. I also starred in my first school play and began shooting commercials...it was probably right around that time that I got "the acting bug"...if I hadn't already.

10 years ago. 16...got my first car - a stick-shift, which I was really proud of (felt like a great accomplishment!). I was well on my way to becoming a Thespian, and Workshop was a pretty big part of my life. Looking back, I'm thankful that I am not 16 anymore.

5 years ago. 21!!! Had a great 21st b'day party at El Parador. The live salsa band pulled me on stage and the singer gave me a kiss! I was pretty grossed out at the time, as he was a lot older (haha). College life was great. Driving around the desert in my cherry red Jeep Wrangler...life was pretty sweet! Also, I think I was just starting to get a taste of who I was going to soon become...

3 years ago. I had just moved to Chicago. Didn't really know who I was, where I was going, or what I was doing. The journey was just beginning.

1 year ago. I left Chicago and moved to LA. Chicago served it's purpose for me, beautifully. I left knowing who I was, where I was going, and what I was doing. 'Ya-Baha'ul'Abha!

So far this year. I've spent a lot of time searching and reflecting. Met a lot of really cool people. Went to Ray J's birthday party. Chilled at Pricilla Presley's house. Ran into Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, kids from The Hills, etc...proving to me that I really am back in Hollywood. Auditioned for a few movies, got a manager...met the cast of The Office/visited the set...had a lot of really great talks with Rainn about acting/Baha'i life...Got the job I wanted. Went on PILGRIMAGE!!!
Still getting to know "LA".

Yesterday. Worked. Coordinated some arrangements for Andrew's pending nuptials. Ate healthy foods. Prayed/meditated. Talked to Greg before he got on a plane for Pilgrimage! Slept.

Today. Ate some yogurt and blueberries for breakfast (yummy!). Worked. Blogged. Talked to Justine/caught up. The day's not over...

Tomorrow. Work. Acupuncture! Dinner. Etc...

The rest of this year. Focusing on my career. Finding more of a balance. Yoga. Travel. Fitness. Ruhi. Love. Laughter. Keeping up with friends.