Alright, as many of you have probably already heard, I have some big news. For those of you who haven't heard, here it goes...I'm moving to San Diego! I know this may seem like a shock to most of you but its been something that has been on my mind for awhile now. God has opened up some big doors for me and I have no doubt in my mind that this is where He wants me to be. Looking back I can see how He began planting the idea of San Diego in my head before I even realized I would really love to live there. But before I get into that, let me take a minute to answer a few of the most commonly asked questions when I told people I was moving to San Diego.
Q: What about acting?
A: For awhile now I've really been struggling with deciding if I should continue on with acting or not. Ever since the spring/summer I've really been debating with myself over this. I have no doubt that God used my love for acting to bring me here and bless me with many great experiences that I wouldn't trade for the world! I've had a blast the last couple of years, really reaching for my acting dream and getting to work on some amazing sets and meet all kinds of great people. But the fact that the career I had always wanted in acting didn't seen to really progress, started me thinking if maybe God had another plan for me. This past summer I took time off and had a great time just hanging with my friends and having fun. After summer ended I thought briefly about continuing on with my acting but was unsure. I began thinking about what I could see myself doing. It used to be that the only thing I could see myself happy doing was acting but the more I thought about it the more I realized that wasn't true anymore. I would still love to be a working actor and have a blast with it--but I could also see myself not doing it and being just as happy. So I realized if I could be just as happy not doing acting then it's not worth it. And I began to think that maybe this was God's way of showing me He had something else in mind, but I didn't know what. I slowly saw God closing doors of opportunity in acting and kept praying He would open another one and show me where I was supposed to be. And He did.
Q: What are you going to do?
A: Once I decided that acting was no longer my focus, I began to think about what else to do. What else could I be just as happy doing? I've always loved to write. Even when I was really working to break into acting, writing was something I was doing on the side and planned to continue along with acting. I still plan on pursuing my writing. I finished my first episode for a 1-hour long drama TV show script. And I am currently hard at work on a novel. My plan is to try and finish it before the end of the year and try to get it published. I still very much love writing and want to continue on with it. However, I can't make a living just writing right now. So I began thinking what kind of job would I enjoy? Aside from acting and writing what was my biggest passion? It didn't take long for me to figure out. Baseball. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love baseball. I spend all my spring and summer practically living at a baseball stadium. So I decided I would try to get a job in baseball. Doing what, I didn't know, but didn't care either. So I started submitting myself like crazy to different baseball teams for jobs they were hiring for for this upcoming season.
Q: Why San Diego?
A: When I started submitting for baseball jobs, I began thinking where would I be willing to work? I was willing to move, but how far? I decided I still love California so much that I would stay in state. I also concluded I would like to stay in southern California. So I began submitting. I submitted for various jobs with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, a couple minor league teams nearby and I even submitted to the San Diego Padres, just for the heck of it. I decided I wouldn't mind going farther south--just not north. Slowly I started getting e-mails back from the teams saying "thank you for submitting but we're not interested at this time"--even jobs I was well qualified for. I started getting a little discouraged but decided to keep at it, knowing if it was meant to be then the right door would open up. About 4 days before my friends and I were planning on leaving for our San Diego girls getaway, the Padres called me and said they wanted to bring me in to interview. I was so surprised but happy too. As fate would have it they were holding all their interviews on Tuesday of that week. My friends and I were already planning on going down there Sunday-Monday, so me and one friend just stayed on an extra day through Tuesday, I went to my interview and then we came home. I felt like my interview went well, but you never know. I didn't want to get my hopes up so I tried not to think about actually getting the job, plus I figured that I wouldn't hear for a couple weeks at least. I had been seeing God close so many doors of opportunity though, that I decided if I did--by some chance--get the job, I would take it. I wouldn't think about it and change my mind. I decided that if God wanted me in San Diego then I would get the job. So if I did get it, then I wouldn't think about it--I would take the job and move. Thursday afternoon--just barely over 1 day after my interview--I got the call that I received the job for this season with the San Diego Padres.
It all happened so fast that I was left with no time to really process what had happened. I hadn't even had time to tell my family I'd had an interview to begin with, much less that I was going to be packing my bags. So that night I called my family and shared the news that I was going to be moving to San Diego--they were supportive but I'm sure really surprised too. But I kept up my end of the bargain and didn't think about it--I just said yes. I hung up my phone after hearing the great news that the job was mine and said "Apparently God wants me in San Diego". I signed and returned my offer letter with the Padres to make things official, got drug tested as per their requirement, and began looking for places to live.
I have no doubt in my mind that this is where God wants me to be. I'm not entirely sure why yet, but I'm trusting Him. The last time I felt completely at ease that I was right where I was supposed to be was when I moved out here 2 1/2 years ago. It seems like a lifetime ago, but it also seems like just yesterday. I've grown so much since moving here as a starry-eyed, 19-year-old, Virginian girl who dreamed of nothing more then being on the big screen. I've had so many great times and I know there are plenty more to come! San Diego is just the next step to my next adventure in life. And I can't wait to see where it will all lead!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Girls Getaway
Me and my friends, Desiree, Ashley & Jessica all planned a girls getaway to go down to San Diego for a couple days in early January. Me and Desiree had been talking about wanting to go down there for some time and so I just said "let's do it" and we did. The four of us went down on Sunday, January 8th. We stayed in Downtown SD.
On Sunday, we went around Seaport Village and the naval base then went out to the Gaslamp District in downtown. On Monday, we spent most of the day at the beach on Coronado Island. We also went to Balboa Park and then again to the Gaslamp District for dinner. Monday night Ashley & Jessica left to go back home, they both had work and things they had to be back for. But since neither Desiree or me had to work we stayed another night.
On Tuesday, Des and I went shopping and around Downtown a little bit. We also went back to Coronado Island because we wanted to be at the beach again. We stayed most of Tuesday down there and then came back Tuesday night. Neither one of us wanted to leave and vowed we would come again soon. It was so beautiful down there and I just loved it! Below are a few pictures from our time in San Diego..enjoy :)
On Sunday, we went around Seaport Village and the naval base then went out to the Gaslamp District in downtown. On Monday, we spent most of the day at the beach on Coronado Island. We also went to Balboa Park and then again to the Gaslamp District for dinner. Monday night Ashley & Jessica left to go back home, they both had work and things they had to be back for. But since neither Desiree or me had to work we stayed another night.
On Tuesday, Des and I went shopping and around Downtown a little bit. We also went back to Coronado Island because we wanted to be at the beach again. We stayed most of Tuesday down there and then came back Tuesday night. Neither one of us wanted to leave and vowed we would come again soon. It was so beautiful down there and I just loved it! Below are a few pictures from our time in San Diego..enjoy :)
Reflecting on 2011
Happy New Year all! I can't believe it is 2012! This past year has really flown by. I still can't believe I've been living in California for the past 2 and a half years now. It has been one crazy, amazing adventure that I wouldn't trade for the world! I still love it out here and know this is where I am supposed to be. I look forward to what God has planned for the future!
2011 was a good year for me. But it was also a tough one. I battled with what to do with my life, feeling stuck in place and not moving forward. I struggled with my acting not going anywhere and just trying to come to terms with what God's plan for me out here is. I know He led me out here for a reason but when acting wasn't happening like I had hoped, I began to doubt what His reason was. I know He has His reasons but we don't always see them clearly. Trusting that His plan is better then ours isn't easy, either. But now looking back I can see His leading and I can understand it a little bit better.
There were also a lot of good things that happened in 2011 too! I had many adventures and created many wonderful memories that I will keep with me forever. I got back into going to Minor League baseball games regularly and loved the season! A group from work went down to SeaWorld in San Diego. I worked on a couple really cool movie and TV projects as an extra. I went to the beach and really enjoyed my summer days without a care in the world. I went back home to Virginia for Thanksgiving to visit my family and also took a friend with me. That was fun! I continued to work on my writing projects and started developing some awesome new ideas. I turned 21! My Christmas and New Years holidays were spent mostly working but I was still able to get out and have fun with friends. I formed a couple really strong friendships that I cherish deeply.
Over all, just like every year--it was a good one with its own share of troubles. But I feel like I really grew this year and I am very thankful. I feel like I'm beginning to feel like I'm doing something with myself instead of being stuck in place. God has really blessed me this past year and I can't wait to see what is to come for 2012!
God has really shown me that He is in control, He knows what He is doing, and that His plan is better then my own. He has been redirecting my paths and places I can see myself. He has also opened a great door of opportunity for me and I can't wait to see where it will lead...not doubt onto my next adventure. But more about my big news in another post to follow. I'm still getting things in motion. But I just wanted to share what has been going on in my life and encourage you all in this new year that no matter where you are or where you want to be--God has a plan for you!
I never make a New Years resolution. I think partially it is because I always see how everyone makes one and breaks it before January even ends. However, this year I decided to do something a little differently. My sister, Julia actually first mentioned it and I decided to do it as well. We all have bucket lists of things we wanna do before we die or places we want to go, etc. Well this year my resolution is to check things off of my list. I also created a new, smaller list of things I would like to do this year. I have been able to check off 2 of the things on my list so far and January isn't even over yet! I'm hoping to be able to check off everything on my list by December 31, 2012...so we'll see. Happy 2012 everyone! Have a great year!
2011 was a good year for me. But it was also a tough one. I battled with what to do with my life, feeling stuck in place and not moving forward. I struggled with my acting not going anywhere and just trying to come to terms with what God's plan for me out here is. I know He led me out here for a reason but when acting wasn't happening like I had hoped, I began to doubt what His reason was. I know He has His reasons but we don't always see them clearly. Trusting that His plan is better then ours isn't easy, either. But now looking back I can see His leading and I can understand it a little bit better.
There were also a lot of good things that happened in 2011 too! I had many adventures and created many wonderful memories that I will keep with me forever. I got back into going to Minor League baseball games regularly and loved the season! A group from work went down to SeaWorld in San Diego. I worked on a couple really cool movie and TV projects as an extra. I went to the beach and really enjoyed my summer days without a care in the world. I went back home to Virginia for Thanksgiving to visit my family and also took a friend with me. That was fun! I continued to work on my writing projects and started developing some awesome new ideas. I turned 21! My Christmas and New Years holidays were spent mostly working but I was still able to get out and have fun with friends. I formed a couple really strong friendships that I cherish deeply.
Over all, just like every year--it was a good one with its own share of troubles. But I feel like I really grew this year and I am very thankful. I feel like I'm beginning to feel like I'm doing something with myself instead of being stuck in place. God has really blessed me this past year and I can't wait to see what is to come for 2012!
God has really shown me that He is in control, He knows what He is doing, and that His plan is better then my own. He has been redirecting my paths and places I can see myself. He has also opened a great door of opportunity for me and I can't wait to see where it will lead...not doubt onto my next adventure. But more about my big news in another post to follow. I'm still getting things in motion. But I just wanted to share what has been going on in my life and encourage you all in this new year that no matter where you are or where you want to be--God has a plan for you!
I never make a New Years resolution. I think partially it is because I always see how everyone makes one and breaks it before January even ends. However, this year I decided to do something a little differently. My sister, Julia actually first mentioned it and I decided to do it as well. We all have bucket lists of things we wanna do before we die or places we want to go, etc. Well this year my resolution is to check things off of my list. I also created a new, smaller list of things I would like to do this year. I have been able to check off 2 of the things on my list so far and January isn't even over yet! I'm hoping to be able to check off everything on my list by December 31, 2012...so we'll see. Happy 2012 everyone! Have a great year!
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