Guest-Star, Here I Come! Week 5. "JUST DO IT"

I have been struggling with this post.  I started 3 different posts and I can't seem to commit to one.  Now, I'm actually debating whether I should start a whole new one again.  

My mind is extremely busy.  I have lots of 'shoulds' happening in my head and I'm just trying to keep up.  To be honest, I don't feel like I'm thriving.  I feel like I'm surviving right now.  I feel like just throwing in the towel...especially with this post and calling it a day.  But, there's magic in 'doing the work'.  So, here I am, sitting and waiting....waiting for a miracle.  Waiting for a some post to emerge.  I'm typing and backspacing...typing and backspacing.  

Ugh!  Grrrrrrr!  Pssshhhh!  Aaaaaahhhhh!  I'm looking around to see if there are any distractions for me to tend to.  "Oh, I forgot to call this person back...I should call them now", "I didn't do my homework yet for my workshop tomorrow...I should get on that first", "God, I'm hungry...I should eat something first and maybe it'll get my creative juices flowing", "I should give Bells a bath now", "I have to finish reading that book", "I gotta look at my calendar and plan stuff out for this week", "I gotta call my mother", etc........Oh, the tortured artist!!!!  Save meeeeeeee pleeeeeeease!  

All the ways I'm trying to keep myself from 'doing the work'.  

As stressed out as I get with writing my blog sometimes...my blog is my saving grace.  If I threw in the towel each time I felt stressed, I wouldn't have a blog...no posts, no writing, no nothing.  

I am so grateful right now.  Because I did it...and I'm doing it.  I don't know how but, it's a miracle that I got things done.  Come to think of it...all I had to do was sit down and start.  God/The Universe took care of the rest.  Just like this post now.  :)  Thank you.  

Huh.  I got here pretty quickly.  Only 1/3 into this post and I'm seeing things differently.  This is why 'doing the work' is so important for us artists.  You never know where 'the work' will take you.  Until you do it.  

We are a group that believes in the unknown and the impossibles.  We dream and envision the most magnificent things for us and the world around us.  But, the unknown and the impossibles are scary...because we just don't know for sure.  We want to have control over what happens and how it happens and when we realize that it's not in our hands...we panick and/or hide.  This is because we've allowed the scary things to get bigger than us.  Like a monster that we don't know how to fight...so we just give up.

But the monster isn't bigger than us.  No, WE are much much bigger.  And if anything, when we reclaim our power and take the first step...the monster actually gets scared.  And usually out of fear, the monster will bring out the big guns...as I like to say, "Shit's gonna hit the fan".  Things are going to get even more chaotic...and it's going to stir up things in you to hold you back.  It will use whatever method(s) to keep you in a state of fear, confusion, immobility, apathy.  These distractions can come in any form....big and small.  And in the most clever ways.  Don't ever think you're smarter than the monster...because you're not.  The only way to beat it is to simply 'do the work'.  

I don't know how many of you are feeling this way.  But, if you kind of know what I'm talking about...DO THE WORK.  And 'the work' is different for everybody.  You know better than anyone what your work is.  It's something you want, want to do, but, it literally feels like an army is holding you back.  Just do it.  Don't even think about finishing it...just start it.  This is for your survival.  

I wrote a post some time last year called, To Survive or To Thrive.  And I committed to thriving.  But, you have to survive first.  You have to be here to 'do your work'.  And the world needs your work.  You came into this world, this planet, to share YOU.  Let's see YOU.  

As I write this, I realize I'm writing this for me.  It's a struggle at times but, the work must be done.  No way around it.  I chose my profession and I'm committed to seeing it all the way through.  All the way. 

I hope you don't understand this post...yes, DON'T understand.  Because you're the person who just does the work.  Resistance??  What is that??  But, if you do..well then, it's time to get crackin.

In the end...I'm not 100% satisfied with this post...nor have I been with previous posts...but, the point is to just get it done.  I put in my time for the day and I am gooooooood.  (SIGH)  :)

One of my fave quotes....

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.

                                                                     -Martha Graham

Have a great and thriving week.  :)

with LOVE,

Alex

  

Guest-Star, Here I Come! Week 4. 'Shopping Haul/Fashion Show' Video!!

Hello errrrrbody!

*  I just picked up my headshots from Argentum.  And they have a cool promotion going on right now. They hooked me up with a free marketing tool!  They look like bookmarks with my picture on it with a blank space to write a note to casting directors.  Personalized note cards that look like bookmarks, pretty much.  If you have anything to get printed..headshots, postcards, business cards...go to Argentum soon and ask about that promotion!  They will start charging for that service soon...if they haven't already.

*  Also a shout out and THANK YOU to my friend Judith for constantly dropping valuable knowledge and love my way.  :)

My 1st VLOG of 2012 is here!!!  I'm going to spend the next 6 months or so, experimenting...by making more vlogs and seeing what happens.   See below for video.

Looking back now, I see how I've sort of been keeping to myself...private and reserved.  I used that time to process things internally.   I focused more on writing, thinking, experiencing...and I needed to do them alone.  

However, this year, I feel like I want to be more 'visual', to be more public.  To be okay with being seen.  I am an actress after all.  It's funny...I now have a roommate after living alone for 5 years, my skin cleared up (the last couple of years were tough on my face, skin, and Ego), and I also booked my first tv role and it just aired this past week.  (Oh yeah, my family couldn't have been prouder.  They were all calling and texting by 6pm here...they live in NY).  

These are three HUGE changes for me, and I see them as three HUGE signs from God/The Universe telling me, "Yup, no more hiding, no need to hide...it's time for you to show yourself."  This makes me emotional.  :*)

Yes, I feel as though I am slowly emerging from dark to light.  Not necessarily a good or bad thing...just something different.  And I know this too will not last and back to the dark I will go, and then back to light, etc.  Ebb and flow.  Right now, I'm ready to soak in the light, shine some light, and feel the warmth of it until it's time to cool down again.  

Which is why I'm going to focus on making more videos this year.  Why not, since I'm exploring my brand.  I gotta try.

And speaking of branding.....

Update on Sam Christensen free workshop.  

I loved it and him.  I signed up immediately for his 4 week workshop.  

I start Wednesday!

Let me be straight up here...

Sam's great and he knows what he's doing.  He's also a teacher who has had first-hand experience about what he teaches.  Through years of EXPERIENCE, he's gathered his information.  And what Sam teaches goes deeper than just the business of it...it's psychological and profound.  I am particularly excited about learning more about how branding and archetypes/myths go together.  Because brands that have longevity, touch on the human psyche in a deep way.  Stuff like this seriously gets my blood flowing...love it.

If you're like me and you love going deeper with things...then you'll love Sam.  I feel like what Sam teaches will play a big part in your feeling professional and empowered as an artist and actor.  There is something in discovering your brand for yourself.  Not when you get a manager, not when you get an agent, not when you get a publicist, yada yada yada.  As an artist, YOU MUST discover and nurture that part of you that you will share with the world.  No one will love it as much as YOU and it isn't anyone else's responsibility to create that or love that more than you. 

Now, how much you benefit from that is completely up to YOU.  I think what he teaches is so specific that unless you get excited about it, the info will be useless.  You won't know how to apply it to your career.  That's was what my friends said after attending the workshop with me.  I agree 100%.  Do yourself a favor, invest your money elsewhere (because it ain't no cheap thing....although they do offer a very do-able payment plan) until you feel it's what you and your career needs.  You'll know.  

But, until then, I'll do my best to keep you posted.  :)  

Click HERE to watch the Criminal Minds episode I'm in!  Guess who is in the thumbnail for it on Hulu.  Yup.  :)

And BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, here's a NEW SHOPPING HAUL/FASHION SHOW video!  Would love to know what you think!  

Have a wonderful week, filled with MAGIC and smiles.

with LOVE,

Alex

Guest-Star, Here I Come! Week 3. 'Sedona pics and getting ready for the year'

My cute attempt to get a jumping pic.  Not easy.  How the heck do some people get good jump pics??  Thank you sister for your patience.  :)

My family came out to visit and we went to Sedona together!  What a magnificent place.  And the people were so nice.  We stayed at the Enchantment Resort.  This place was Heaven on Earth.  Imagine looking up at night and seeing a bed of stars.  Constellations are obvious.  They said you can sometimes even see the galaxy.  Can you just imagine?!

We loved The Pink Jeep Tour (Broken Arrow Trail) and Hiking on the Red Rocks.  Here are some pictures!!

The Pink Jeep Tour is like going on a safari ride.  If you have a back problem, um..think twice because you're in for a RIDE.  Bumps and all.

 There's Andy, our guide, way up front, then there's my dad, and me!

Rotate this clockwise once.  It's suppose to look like I'm hanging of a cliff.  For some reason I couldn't rotate and paste here.  

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Where we stayed.  So pretty.

I got an audition for How I Met Your Mother while in Sedona..I put myself on tape and sent that baby out.

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Now for some real deal hiking on the Red Rocks.  View makes you speechless.

This tree is dying.  You see those yellow-lime-greenish round things blossoming??  Well, those are air-borne parasites.  Crazy.  Nature does her thing.

I'd love to do a serious rock climb once in my life.  John, our guide said you develop a relationship with that specific rock...respect.

Cactuses are no joke.  

This is called the Desert Crust.  Living organism.  So cool.

My mom looks like she's in the Wild Wild West!  

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If you go to Sedona, eat here!  

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I got one of these to put on my meditation table.

 Yeah...for the most part.

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My parents.  30 years ago.  PIMP!

Today.  Still PIMPIN!

Happy 70th Birthday DAD!!!!  I love you guys so much and I'm so grateful to have you as my parents.  Thank you for a lovely trip and thank you for being so open and understanding.  

I think the time away made me more creative.  I came up with some new ideas for my vlogs!!!  I'm going to start shooting them this week!  I'm pushing my brand this year and I'm going to experiment by making more videos.  Stay tuned!  Busy week ahead.  

I've been coming up with ideas left and right.  I'm trying to see how I can manage my time to see them through.  I'm going to use this week to figure out my game plan for this year.  Exciting.

Also, I'm going to the Sam Christensen workshop on Wednesday with some friends.  Sam Christensen is known for his unique way of helping you know and develop your brand.  I'm sure I'll learn something.  I'll keep you posted.

Oh!  And if you're curious about the How I Met Your Mother audition.  I emailed my agent that I would be out of town but, there was a glitch.  I got an audition.  Instead of declining, my agent asked if I could put myself on tape.  I was afraid my web cam would look too unprofessional but, she said it's worth a try.  Well, they wanted me to read for 3 different co-star roles.  I used my iMovie skills to cut that..even added a slate in the beginning.  I'm badass!  :)  I don't think I got it since television casting moves so much faster..and I haven't heard anything but, I'm just happy to have gotten the audition and I did my best to follow through.  It feels good.

THRIVING MENTALITY TIP #1

I emailed my agent my goal for this year.  That I want to book a guest-star.  I also told her that I am going to do my part by doing casting director workshops consistently.  

Share your goals.  Especially if you have an agent..let them know that you're serious and willing to do your part.  Let's not wait around this year but, take initiative.  Go after what you want.  Speak up.  Do the work.  And create the life you want.  :)

Have a great week!

with LOVE,

Alex

Guest-Star, Here I Come! Week 2. Sedonaaaaa

Hi everyone!!!

No blog post this week!  I'm in Sedona with the family right now.  It's my dad's 70th birthday!  This place is amazing!  Especially the spirituality here...I feel at 'home'.  And the people here are sooooo nice.  I heard the Phoenix Airport was the friendliest, and they are!!!!!  My parents, being New Yorkers, were a bit uncomfortable with it, with all the smiles and eye contacts but, they're opening up.  They're adjusting well.  Hahahahaha.  ;)

I'll put up some pics in the next post.  The picture on top was literally taken from our balcony.  Apparently we have one of the BEST views.

Oh!!!  One more thing!  The Criminal Minds episode I'm in will be airing the 15th!  On CBS!  They said that was the tentative date so I will make sure and get back to you but, it's this coming Sunday!!!  I know the Golden Globes are on but, if you can switch back and forth... maybe you'll catch me!  Yaay!!!

I plan on having some friends over to watch together.  This is too cool maaaaaan.  :)

Ok, well, I'm gonna go join nature now!  Hope you all have a wonderful week.  Friend me on Facebook for daily updates!




with LOVE,

Alex

Guest-Star, Here I Come! Week 1. 'New Accountability Buddy Announcement'

Hellooooooooooo 2012!

*  As you can see, my NEW goal for this year is....BOOK a GUEST-STAR on a tv show.  Do you believe in me??  Wink Wink.  ;)

I booked co-star in 2011, now, let's keep it moving.  And I will go back to setting weekly goals so we can do it together. 

*  iMovie Workshop!  Do you own a Mac, want to make your own videos, but you're not too familiar with iMovie??  Well, guess what??  We'll teach you...for FREE!  Because this is the year to create your own thing!  Make some videos and throw them up on Youtube.  Because you never know.

Email if interested and we'll put something together for you.  :)

alexandra@alexandrachoi.com

I'm working on my newsletter(s) right now so, no writing this week.  But, I put together a video to announce my NEW Accountability Buddy!  

Gettin ready.  Gettin ready.  Gettin ready for another fabulous year.  Holla.  :)

Have a wonderful week and I'll see you guys next week!!!!

with LOVE,

Alex