The reality of the un-employed...

Currently I am un-employed… I have been since I made the move to Ipswich. The original plan was to go on holiday in October, which I did, film a movie over the whole of November, which I didn’t, then have December off to enjoy, which I’m presently doing and then re-join my work in the city in January.  Things haven’t quite worked out that way. It’s now been 7 weeks since the move and whilst I’ve learnt a great deal, my bank balance has considerably dropped. This is not conducive to the Christmas present purchasing that takes place at this time of year. This year I have been organized and have all my presents resulting in very little £ to my name.

Not working is nice in that you can fill your days with whatever graces your thoughts, however without the funds to fulfill these the list is somewhat smaller. I am a city girl, always have been and now I find myself trying to live the simply life in what I consider to be the countryside.  Moving out of home and getting used to the cooking, cleaning, washing saga of the monotonous house work, I think I am now on top of. However, I do not think my boyfriend would be so quick to agree with this statement.  I need a job pronto in the New Year and my biggest problem is, me. I’m fussy! Although this time I can’t afford to be.

With new headshots for the agency and I am hoping they bring in a few more auditions.  I have been with my voiceover agency for 6 months and not heard a peep, only when I’m chasing them so I think come March I will look for another one. As I do acting, or should say this is my goal I need a part time role, so that can be available to go to London for auditions. This is not so easy to find an employer who is cool with it. So the plan will be come Jan 2012, register with as many recruitment agencies as I can, both here and in London and see what comes out of it. I originally wanted media but I really do not think that is going to happen. Can’t act, study and have a brilliant job without the full commitment. It is time to get real!!!

Completing my Level 2 Counselling course

Today I finished my Level 2 (Concepts of Counselling) Course – which is basically an introduction into the integrative model of counselling. A dip in the water of what counselling is and what it should.

Before undertaking the course, I thought it was to give advice and help people fix their problems. It’s not! Counselling is a process and a journey where you provide a safe environment for someone to talk through their problems, and help bring about change from within. Helping them understand where they are and the steps they might take to change.

Oh and the biggest thing is listening and I mean the kind of listening where you are hearing nothing but the other persons voice, being with them constantly and not letting your attention drift. It sounds easy but holy moly, its not!

When you are listening to someone normally you interject with your own ‘stuff’ and think over what you are feeling or going to say. This may come across as if I am self-centered, but I find I am in a constant battle to keep my attention on the other person. Which really shouldn’t be as hard for me. My whole acting training in the Meisner technique is about putting your attention on the other person, in that case the other actor. However, I have really struggled with actively listening to the other person. Something to work on…

So as it stands I am moving onto my Level 3 and the first year of a three-year course in counselling.

For me it means, I have three years to have been in something ‘big’ within my acting career, enough to keep it as my career goal. Or diversify and be a counsellor for a while.

Acting is my passion and one that I hope materializes out from my dreams into reality.  I know so many girls are probably writing the same sentence but I am not willing to put my whole life on hold waiting for my chance. For now my timeline is set and in the next three years, who knows what will happen.

Lets see where my footsteps go … 

Never a truer word spoken

Concert Pianist Lang Lang.

Is success everything you hoped it would be?

I always wanted to make a good living. And when your a little kid, you want to be famous. But once you get fame, the more important thing is how you take the responsibility and help others achieve their dreams, especially those who live in poor neighbourhoods, who have a similar background as myself. Currently, we sponsor eight kids in my foundation. I'm opening my heart to these new talents and mentoring them to have creative careers. HAving fame is one thing but being useful to the world is another.