LA Update!

Tomorrow, Monday, makes exactly 4 weeks in Los Angeles and I figured it was time to give an update on my process here in California. 

Bad News

Arriving to Los Angeles became a four day road trip, and I am truly grateful to all whom opened the doors of their home and let us spend the night there. In my 98 Honda Civc we went from a farm in Omaha Nebraska, to the beautiful city of Denver, down to New Mexico and finally over to Los Angeles. 

Coming to my final destination at 8pm, Monday the 19th of September, I knew that the next few weeks will be just as challenging as they are rewarding. Due to some minor car problems before leaving Chicago, I had lost a few hundred dollars which placed me on a more strict budget. Yet I was very excited about arriving to my new home! 

I wasted no time. As I enjoyed the city and did a little sight seeing, the application process began. For days I would sit in front of my computer and fill out application after application. I knew that everyday I spent not working, meant less money. As usual, jobs were not responding right away and I was beginning to worry, because my rent was due and I only had so much in my savings after that.

Well, for the next few weeks the theme became, God Provides. Again, I have been anticipating many trials and struggles and through that God has given me much peace. None the less, it has been a humbling and difficult road. When it came to the point where I had 37 cents in my bank account, almost ran out of gas on the highway, and not hearing from jobs after days of applying the enemy tried to discourage me. Some nights I did not think I was going to make it.....and still to this day I do not know how I will make it tomorrow, but tomorrow is not for me to worry about.  

Well as an old friend would say, I needed to hold on that hope. I came to LA with a purpose and I know God is going to be glorified in this process and that is my hope. Last night I facebooked the Youtube link where Will Smith says, "You can be a better actor, you can be better looking......but there is one thing you will not do and that is out work me...you will not out run me on a tred mill, either A you will stop, or I will die, but you will not out work me" I made that decision early on, long before moving to LA. My work ethic has increased, my perseverance has become stronger, my passion has grown, my vision is clearer, and my understanding is greater. 

As I wrote in my previous blog, quitting is not an option. Eventually I did get a response from an agency that hires for temporary promotional gigs. This weekend completes my first promotional job, putting in about 20 to 30 hours every Saturday and Sunday since the 1st of October. Unfortunately I have not received a paycheck yet, I recently found out that they pay once the promotion is done, which means that I have to wait a few more weeks to see my first pay check. The job is great but this puts me back in the same place as before. 

Although, that news was not so comforting, it has been amazing to see how God provides. So far every time I have worked, someone has offered to buy me a meal or pay for my gas. They are also giving me leads to other jobs and individuals to contact for gigs. My family at home also has faithfully continued to invest in me, even if their situation my be difficult as well. One of my cousins from New York has also recently moved here to LA and she has played a major role helping me get through. I am so grateful to have her here. The smallest deeds makes all the difference at this point, one of my room mates made me breakfast yesterday, another made me dinner and the list goes on. (I am blessed to be in this home, because all the men are Christians) 

Good News

In the second week here, I signed up with an agency that pays to fill seats on tv shows like "Price is Right, or "Lets Make a Deal." I was instructed to come in a costume to "Lets Make a Deal," which is hosted by Wayne Brady. As usual, I put on my Michael Jackson outfit and made it to the show, and although I only won a dvd and someone else won the $40,000 car and $30,000 worth of camping gear, I received a motivating compliment. During commercial breaks they would play music, and every time a Michael Jackson song came on the crowd would chant, MIchael, Michael, Michael.....I had no choice to but give the crowd what they wanted. I danced up and down the aisle and when the break was over Wayne Brady came out from the back and asked the crowd, "Who did that Michael Jackson?" I raised my hand and he followed by saying, "That was hot." While I have heard that many times when I dance, I never heard it from Wayne Brady. That got me thinking, if this multi talented professional saw me dance and thought it was, "hot" then I could turn it around and use it to help my current situation. 

Honestly, I came to LA with the mentality that acting was going to kick things off for me, but so far it has been dancing. With the help of my cousin, I bought the Michael Jackson Thriller outfit in order to go to Hollywood Blvd where there are many different characters who take pictures for money. I decided I was going to dance for money as MJ everyday I had nothing going on. When I make my way to Hollywood Blvd I normally get a crowd and good responses to the dancing. Although, i do not make too much, because it is based on tips, it has led me to a few more leads. Just last week two individuals asked me for my business card in order to do a show, so i gave them my email, thethrillerexperience@gmail.com. 

In my first week here I reached out to some of my anticipated connections, and while not all of them went through, I made a great connection with Naima Lett. She is an actor who has done quite a few roles including one in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." She received her Masters from Dallas Theological Seminary and has a great heart. She has been giving me advice on what steps to take, what to look for, she is connecting me with other individuals, helping me find a church, ministry, job......an so on. Honestly she has been the biggest help next to my roommate here in LA. I just sat down with her and her husband for dinner last week and I know God has placed them in my life for a reason. I am excited to grow with them and to see how God uses our relationship. 

This journey has been a growing experience and I know its only the beginning. There are more people who I have been connected with, like dancers, actors, producers, directors.....and its helping me prepare my way into the industry. I cannot believe its only been 4 weeks, it feels like I have been here for a year now. 

I know that God will provide what I need and I want you to know that I am not going to give up. My roommate, Johan commented on my work ethic, and said that "most people come here apply and give up quick, but you have pushed and pushed to make things happen." I do not think its anywhere from being done, therefore perseverance is key, no matter what happens like losing my license and credit card two days ago I must move forward and trust in God. 

I want to ask that you continue to support me in anyway possible especially prayer. I have spent amazing times with God reading and studying the book of Hebrews. Your prayers are still key in my future, they are the primary investment you can make in my life. If you feel led to give financially, that would also be appreciated. Again, I know God will provide therefore I am at peace, so let your heart lead you. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I will be doing updates as often as I could, you can also receive my blog posts to your email by entering it on the right hand side. 

Until next time!