My constants in life are my faith and family. I stay busy working full-time for a company that I love, and raising my son has been the joy of my life. I enjoy observing, listening, learning, and breathing in all the good and hard times along the way of this privilege called life.
My life as a song, "The Elements" by TobyMac.
If you haven't heard this song, then you're missing out on some powerful lyrics. TobyMac is a lyrical genius who goes way back, and he continues to have a successful career. I love all the verses, the hook, everything, but these words amplify my life experiences:
They try to break us, break us, make us wanna give in
Lay down our arms, Novocain us again
Lay down a fight, I could never relent
And I'ma take it all the way to the end
I'll fight the elements (elements, elements, elements)
I'll fight the elements (elements, elements, elements)
I got spirit, I got faith
I might bend but I won't break
I'll fight the elements (elements, elements, elements)
I feel like I'm a fighter in life. Like many others, I've had some real rough times in life. There have been plenty of highs and lows. At one point, after my divorce, the lows were inconsolable and I thought I wanted to disappear from life. But the Father I once knew as a child, who I had lost along my way, reached out to me in a dark place and walked me through the valley. He put joy in my eyes so that I could be grateful for those hard times;it's faith in Him that keeps me going. I can truly appreciate every experience because I look for the positive in those hard times and that helps me make better choices every day. Being resilient with trust in His perfect timing is what keeps me thriving. Toby's words, "I might bend, but I won't break" are like an anthem for me.
My life as a movie, Little Miss Sunshine.
I love that there is so much hope and light in darkness. I love that we can forgive one another. I love that we can accept each other, no matter how far from perfection we may be. And I really love that sometimes it takes a rough road to realize how insightful life can be when we allow ourselves and others to just be who we are on the grand stage of life.
If you haven't seen this movie, it's one for your list. Great cast, meaningful writing, and heartfelt storytelling. Between the darkness, there's so much humour, and every character is relatable.
My life as a food, Sapporo Ichiban Original.
Sapporo Ichiban ramen is simple affordable food, enjoyed in different ways. Crush it up, add the spice, eat it like chips. Cook it traditionally, it's salty comfort food. Feeling fancy, add some green onions, protein, and a dash of Togarashi- it's "everyday gourmet". It's inexpensive practical food that I grew up on and still enjoy to this day. It's not always the healthiest choice, but that's life in moderation. I like Original the best because from that foundation comes the inspiration for other flavours. So, I feel like Sapporo Ichiban Original is a reflection of me - adaptable, flexible, and practical.
My life is full of wonderful ups and downs, just like many of the characters we find endearing in the films, TV shows, and plays that we watch. For me, acting is living and breathing someone's truth. And it's beautifully layered from personal experiences lived and/or witnessed. The challenge of portraying someone's truth is what keeps me committed to chasing my acting dreams.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1: 2-4 NIV
I've always loved acting since I was a kid putting on plays every week for my friends and family. People laugh when they ask what my hobbies are and I answer, "Watching tv shows and movies". It's true. I remember in my 20's I would buy three movie tickets and go to the theatre by myself to watch three films in a row. I loved escaping into film, asking questions about people's character, wondering what kind of life experiences the writers must have lived to create those kinds of stories. There's so much to the world of film and television that I'm fascinated by all of it.
After I completed a full-time acting program, I started to see film and television at an even more in depth level. I'm still whisked away by the story, I'm still fully immersed, but at the same time, I can't help but wonder about the choices that the actor makes. Or take notice of how the score changes my mood or the way lighting changes the ambience. I absolutely love and appreciate every aspect from behind the scenes to on-camera. There isn't a job too small or too great because it takes the whole team to make it happen. It's a beautiful world of storytelling and everyone has a role.
If I'm transparent, I hesitate to answer the hobby question when asked. Some people think that watching television or going to the movies is a waste of time, and it may be true for that person. For me, it's a happy place. I find it a joy to watching another person's world unfold and equally as enjoyable when I'm fortunate enough as an actor to get to immerse myself in another world, another life, another story. It's a journey I hope to explore for the rest of my life.
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