'Last Post Of 2013'. Live Shows, Here I Come! Week 50, 51, 52.

Who you mad-doggin, dawg?  It's Christmas.

Dear Diary,

Here's my offering to you this week....

*  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!  The Diary Of The THRIVING Actress will be taking a break until the New Year.  See you in 2014.  :)

*  Seriously, THANK YOU for all the support.  You don't know how much it means to me to know that there are people reading this.  I'm so grateful....I'm so grateful!!

*  Bells sends her love too.  She loves her Christmas gifts.

She went to town on this chew bone.  Even had crazy eyes at times.  She looked like she was in a trance.  What an animal.

Bells's fancy festive statement neck piece has bells on it.  I can hear her at all times.  My Silver Bells.  And Mr. Baby, her new boyfriend.

*  For those of you who asked about my national fast food commercial audition, here's a pic.

I took this pic when I knew for sure I didn't get it.  Last Friday, the day I would have been shooting if I had gotten it.  I got the callback for it and it was down to me and 2 other Asian girls for our spot.  I think I know who it went to....the one with the cool hair.  She had one of those asymmetrical cuts...and short.  She looked super cool.  The other one was very conservative.  I was probably somewhere in between.  It was for McCafe and the cool hair girl just looked the part.  To me at least.  Oh well.   Thank you God for my first one.  Onward and upward.  It's funny but, I rarely get to see the commercials I worked on, but, the ones I didn't get....I see it all the time.  It's actually kind of cool to even say, "Oh look, that's the one I didn't get!"  :D

However, the same day as the callback, I had two other commercial auditions.  One for a cruise line and the other a promo trailer/video for a feature film.  I booked the promo and shot it already.  Here's a pic!  Met and worked with some fantastic people.  

Then spoke to the casting director for the cruise line on the phone about my 'skills'.  She was trying to figure out which spot I'd be best for.  We kind of hit it off in the room.  I know she's def on Team Alex.  :D  I have a feeling I got it but, won't know till end of this month.  Will keep you posted.  When I get it, I'll be taking a cruise for 4-5 days overseas to shoot!  

Will write a post about these auditions soon.  Learned something about 'being yourself' in the audition room.  

Now on to the main attraction.....



I'm winding down from 2013 and gearing up for 2014.  Quietly.  Readjusting to some changes, reflecting, and reinventing.

I'll tell you allllllllll about it soon.

I pulled some images/quotes for you by P. Diddy a.k.a Puff Daddy.  I have a soft spot for cocky artists.  I have a cocky side too but, I only show maybe 40% of it (if you only knew) and sometimes I just want to unleash that sh*t.  But, for now, I'll settle living vicariously through artists like P. Diddy, Kanye, and Nicki Minaj.

Whether you like them or not, there's something to learn from them.  I consider them successful...because they consider themselves successful.  They have created the life they want.  They have big dreams, they do the work, and they live LOUDLY.

So, I came across P. Diddy's Instagram.  You are what you post.  I just liked him before but, now I see who he is....I have maaaaad love for him.  And respect.  He knows how to live HIS life.  

These are fun and inspiring.  Thank you P. Diddy for my Christmas gift and giving me a head start on 2014.

2014, I'm coming for ya.

Ever.

Saying 'Fuck It' is great but, once you say it, commit to it.

Bah hahahaha.

Just learned this one.  #DefineYourself

Everything in moderation.

I'm getting better at this as I get older.

Always.  Stay Flexible.

I AM more than what I see, sometimes.

That's all I ever wanted.

That's it.

Don't hate, congratulate.

Nice to meet you.

If I say I'm a unicorn three times, will you believe me?

Truly.  With love.  :D

#ThingsOnlyYOUCanDo

Ok, I'm waiting...I'm waiting.

#Procrastination

Lionel just wanted a little face time.

And when the world catches up......

This cracks me up.  That's a dollar bill, Diddy.  #Confused

Don't play.

Simple metaphysics.

I thought about this for real....it's true.

Tag, you're it.

I beliiiiieve!

Ok.

Don't let me get in my zone, don't let me get in my zone!

YUP, SECRET TO SUCCESS......KEEP.  GOING.

And once again to everyone for reading and following this blog.....THANK YOU for all the love.  I will make 2014 even more magical.  Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday.  I hope 2014 will also be magical for you.



with MAAAAD LOVE,

x Alex

"My Biggest Hater". Live Shows, Here I Come! Week 47, 48, and 49.

Hey, psssst.  Hope you didn't miss me too much, daaaahlings.  :D

Dear Diary,

Here's my offering to you this week.....


*  Hope you and your family had a blessed Thanksgiving.  Thank you to the Makins for feeding me again this Thanksgiving.

*  It was my birthday this past Tuesday!  I turned 21 again.  And I've been sick since Thanksgiving and haven't had it in me to blog.  Thank you to my readers who have checked in with me.  Means a lot.  I hope I get better because being sick, sucks.

*  Everyone, the Kickstarter for FAME'US Magazine is here!  Here's the link.  We have to raise $5000 in 30 days.  I'm reaching out to my family and friends.  Won't you help a hardworking artist??  Hmmmm??   Go ahead, click on the link, watch the video, say to yourself "Yeah, I want to help", and pledge.  If you can't pledge because your wallet won't open for some reason, I understand.  Would you please share the link on your social medias?  I thank you in advance.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/26742582/fameus-magazine

*  I have a manager now.  Yaaay!  Wish us luck.  Here's to new beginnings.

*  We already shot three episodes of Hash Talk Show.  We're going into editing.  Will start blasting more deets and pics as soon as we get closer to launching!  Very excited and nervous.

*  I found a new soap.  Actually, my friend, Star gave to me to try.  She remembered how miserable I was because of acne.  Do you remember the skin regimen/care vlog I made?  Click here for video.  I bought a soap when I was in Europe a couple...few years back.  It was made of straight up olive oil.  I loved it because I would use it in the shower and I was able to just rub away dead skin from my face.  It was the best, gentle way to exfoliate.  Well, here's another all natural soap that does the same thing.  Thank you, Star!  It's an African black soap.  I love it.  And it's super cheap on Amazon.  I'm telling you, just wait till the end of your shower so that your face is steamed, then wash your face with it, and then take your pointer fingers and just gently rub.  You'll feel the dead skin slough off.

Now on to the main attraction....


You gotta have thick skin to make it in this business.

You have to know yourself and be ok with yourself to make it in this business.

You can't let opinions of others dictate your opinion of yourself to make it in this business.


Yeah yeah.  Easier said than done.


I was the recipient of negative comments on youtube recently.  Calling me dumb.  I was mortified.

Haters.

I was guest co-hosting on a fashion web show for three Monday mornings.  The first show I did happened to be their first show.  And it was my first time actually 'hosting/co-hosting' too.  I've taken a hosting workshop and all I remembered was, "Shit, there's a lot to learn".  Just like voice-overs, it's a whole other beast.  There are techniques and I wasn't familiar with any of them.  So, like fish out of water but, a fish with some big balls, I agreed a couple days before to go for it.

The 15 minute show is broken down to 3 or 4 segments...you talk and comment briefly on each, and the show's over.  Easy.

Not so much when you're LIVE.

Also, if you've never worked together before, you don't know what the synergy is going to be like.

I thought we did pretty ok for the first go at it.  And I felt so supported and encouraged by the host and production team.

A week and half later I get an email from the host of the show that our first video got over 17,000 views.  I check.  Now, over 20,000.  I'm like, "Whoa, how the hell did that happen?"  Then I scrolled down and read some comments.

Yikes.

They were calling us dumb.  They said we should do more research before calling ourselves 'experts' in fashion.  Someone said we were retarded.

You see, the video got so many hits because one of the topics we discussed was about the 'Miss Universe' competition.  Key word, 'Miss Universe' brought all that traffic to the video, especially lots of viewers from all over the world.  Here I was commenting on some of their costumes without knowing their histories.  That WAS dumb.  I agree.

But, dust it off and move on, right?

No.

Because here's a secret.

I'm afraid of being called dumb.  Or thought of as dumb.

Growing up, I hated raising my hand in class.....I mean, what if I was wrong?  I shiver to think.

I'm not sure exactly where it comes from.  All I know is, it exists and it affects me.

I know I'm not dumb but, the comments just hit my vulnerable spot.  

The truth is, they were right.  I should have been prepared.  I should have done my research.  The host apologized saying that he should have prepped me more.  Agreed.  And yes, we could all have been prepped more but, it was our first freaking show.  We did the best we could.  Learning as we go.

I'm good about it now but, for two days, I wanted to hide in my room.

Geeez, yes you gotta have some thick skin, you gotta know yourself and be ok with yourself, and your opinion of yourself has to matter more than anyone else's to make it in this business.  BECAUSE IT WILL BRING SHIT UP IN YOU.  You will be forced to confront certain parts of you that you didn't know existed, or you have been sweeping under the rug for later.  IF YOU'RE DOING THE WORK, THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP.  Trust me.  There's no avoiding it.  But, that's why we chose this life and lifestyle.  To be artists.  To see heal ourselves, to express ourselves, to achieve fantastical and magical things, and to serve the planet with our talents.  That's why we're here.  So, we gotta keep doing that.

That's my mission.  To learn, grow, and heal myself and keep creating my art.  I'm a sensitive artist but, I'm also a professional.

You hear this term a lot, "Haters".
Here's the Urban Dictionary's definition for Hater.

hater

A person that simply cannot be happy for another person's success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person.

Hating, the result of being a hater, is not exactly jealousy. The hater doesnt really want to be the person he or she hates, rather the hater wants to knock somelse down a notch.

Honestly, I haven't had many encounters with other haters.  The only 'hater' I really face is myself.  It always boils down to a healthy relationship with the Self.  Everything external is a reflection of the internal.


I'm taking a break from guest co-hosting for now to focus on my show, HashTalkShow.  Gotta stick with one thing right now and make sure I don't spread myself too thin.  But, some things I learned thus far that I know will help me with HashTalkShow.


Some lessons...

*  When something goes up on the web, it's lives forever.  Put up content with integrity.

*  Do your effin research and don't let your big balls give you a big head.

*  I'm human.  Things are gonna get messy.

*  You ask a million people, you're going to get a million opinions.  Opinions are opinions.  And they're subject to change at any time.  Don't get too attached to them.

*   Haters are not out there, they're in here.  My biggest hater is ME, and no one else.  If something or someone's causing me to react in an uncomfortable way......look withIN.

*  I'm not dumb.  I'm not book smart either but, I'm one WISE chica.




So, what stuff is coming up for you this week?  Just know that when you're doing what's important to you, things are going to come up.  Live through it and I'll see you on the other side.




with MAAAAAD LOVE,

x Alex

"Announcing Hash Talk Show With Alexandra Choi!" Live Shows, Here I Come! Week 46

I'm even mastering 'the selfie' in action.  Skills.

Dear Diary,

Here's my offering to you this week....

*  You may have seen this on my Facebook.  

Yup, I'm getting my own web talk-show.  Whhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!

This is how official it is.  New business card and my very own desk.  Oh snap!

*  I guest co-hosted again for Tailor Made with Brian Rodda!  I may do it every Mondays.    The show streams LIVE every day @ 10am PST on Youtube.  Here's the latest video.

And our first video has over 20,000 hits already!  

Now on to the main attraction....

Boo yah!

Here's how I got my own web talk-show, in a nutshell.

I was contacted by a friend about a month ago.  She's working with FAME'US Magazine and needed some help making a Kickstarter video.  I met with her, she explained to me what the magazine was all about, I liked very much, so I agreed to do what I can.  I was given freedom to create a video based on the information I was given, so I did.  Shot it, edited it, all in one day and sent it over.  I receive word from the founder/publisher.  We meet and he asks to reshoot the video but, this time, it will be a little more scripted since there are key things he wants to mention....and THEY will shoot and edit it.

You mean, all I have to do is stand there and say lines and I don't have to shoot it or edit it?  

I'm in.

In our next meeting, he brings up my Youtube vlogs.  He was researching my social media presence and came across my youtube channel.  He said I'd make a great talk show host.  He wants to create a FAME'US web talk show and would love to have me be the host.  He said I'm the same person on and off camera (rare), I'm not filtered, I'm a do-er, I'm courageous for putting myself out there, and I have great work ethic.  Oh yeah, and I'm funny.  And that's someone he wants to work with, support, and help.

I'm so grateful and appreciative that somebody believes in me to back me up....and financially at that!!  What the hell?!!  I am so thankful.  I can be so lucky...I'm a Sagittarius.

And as grateful as I am, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity".  It's also The Law Of Attraction at work.  It's magical but, it was also bound to happen because I was aligning myself to what I wanted.  I'm grateful to my Soul too for not giving up.

I feel like I'm understanding how the world works more and more.  The natural law, the natural way of things.  I see what my part of the equation is and and what God's/The Universe's part is.  In my experience it's a 30/70 ratio.  We don't have much to do but, START.  Before you start the work, it seems daunting and overwhelming, you want to put it off til later, you feel maaaad Resistance....but, once you start, something else carries you and magical things start to happen.  

Why do you think I love the Luck quote and this one so much?  This one is by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe.  A quote I will live and die by.  Tried and true for me.  

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." 

Back to the show,

The show is called, "Hash Talk Show" with Alexandra Choi.  I'm going to be the Hash Tag Girl.  Apparently I love to hash tag.  I do.  I enjoy it very much.  Sometimes I have to stop myself from overdoing it.  Chris, the founder/publisher basically wants me to be just me.  He's not trying to create somebody or a character.....he says who I am naturally is my brand, who I am in all my vlogs, who I am when I'm hash-tagging like a mofo.  He's just piecing those together into a package.  I think in the past this would have freaked me out, "Huh?  I don't know who I am, I don't know what you're talking about" but, not today peeps...not today.  Today I know exactly what he means.  Today I know who I am.  Today I am grateful that somebody sees that.  

We shot our first test episode.  You know how I felt?  FREE.  I was free to do and say anything.  I'm basically doing the same thing I used to do with my vlogs but, this time, I have someone holding the camera and I don't have to worry about post-production.  Although, not having the option to have full control over editing is making me feel uneasy.  Good thing is, I do have say over the final product.  

I learning a lot right now.  Working with professionals.  God, I love working with professionals who get shit done.  It's so emotionally satisfying.  And I see what kind of balance it's going to take for me.  There's the artist in me who is the perfectionist and stubborn but, there's also the producer, the entrepreneur in me who needs to let certain things go for the sake of the project as a whole.  Chris is an amazing mentor.  I know I'm learning from him because my goal isn't to just act and be in front of the camera...my goal is to create an empire.  I WANT TO BUILD AN EMPIRE.  I want to make my own movies.  I want to create live venues for artists.  I want to have my own t-shirt and shoe line.  I want to have my own production company.  There's more.  :D

But like Oprah says, "You can have it all, just not at once."  I'm going to be patient.  I'm going to steadily dream big.  I'm going to continue taking steps.  

I am definitely in the manifesting period.  I'm just curious to see what and how much is possible for me right now.  

And to all the artists out there......IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.  I swear.  Start now.  Start creating your own stuff.  Start putting it out there.  Take advantage of social media.  We live in different times now.  Artists have more power than ever.  

We CAN create the life we want.  One step, one action, one day at a time.

Have a THRIVING week, peeps.

with MAAAAD LOVE,

x Alex

"Ready To Die So I Can LIVE". Live Shows, Here I Come! Week 45

Dear Diary,

Here's my offering to you this week....

*  If we're friends on Facebook, I posted a status update regarding a BIG announcement.  You may have been seeing hints here and there.  I was going to post about it this week but, I'm holding off til next until some things are finalized.  Cool things are in the works but, I want to make it official next week.  Stay tuned!

*  I guest co-hosted a web show this past week!  Yaaay!!  It happened in a matter of two days.  The show is called 'Tailor Made with Brian Rodda'.  It streams LIVE on Youtube daily.  I'll be joining him on Mondays.  How cool!  Click here to watch the video!  It was Brian's first episode and I'm so honored to have been his first guest.  I'm learning a lot right now....by saying YES and getting in there and just doing it.




Now on to the main attraction.....


I'm having death dreams again.

Sounds morbid but, it's not.

Because to die is to live.

Death isn't the end.

It can be the beginning.  It IS the beginning.

My subconscious is communicating to me.

The old me is scared to die.  The old me wants to stay the same.  The old me doesn't want change.

But, change is life.  Movement is life.

Boredom, stagnation is the death of me.

Breaks are good.  Take breaks, get some rest but, when it's time to move....F*CKING MOVE.

There's a lot of moving parts right now.

It causes anxiety in me at times but, it's not stopping me.

I see my fears come up...and it's ok.

Hi fear.  Hi old self.  Thanks for showing up and letting me know that this is important to me.  I'm scared but, I must go.  I can't take you with me.  I'll see you around in another form, in a different lesson.  This lesson, I can let go now.

It makes me cry.  I cry at least once a day these days.  I cry while I'm driving or playing fetch with Bells.  I take deeps breaths and I cry.  Something in me is dying and I'm grieving the loss.

Alex, it's time to move on to the next stage of your life.  This is necessary.  Let that part of you go with Love.  It's all ok.  Grow....GROW.

I'm ALIVE.  I'm living again.  I'm feeling.  I'm thinking.  I'm loving.  I'm hating.  I'm sad.  I'm happy.  I'm angry.  I'm mortified.  I'm making decisions.  I'm taking action.  I'm moving.  I'm changing.

This is the Life of the artist.

This is the Work of the actress.

This is my Path.

Who knows what this death will bring life to?

We shall see.





Have a THRIVING weeks, peeps.


with MAAAD LOVE,

x Alex

"Fear and Me, We Have A Great Relationship". Live Shows, Here I Come! Week 44.

Dear Diary, 

Here's my offering to you this week....

*  I'm going to be playing a bigger 'role' with FAME'US Magazine.  I am super excited.  I will have more details in the next couple weeks.  All I know is, I have been asking for this...I have been preparing for this.  "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity".  A-men.  :D

*  Are we not friends and followers of one another on social media??  What are we waiting for?!  I'm a Facebook and Instagram gal.  Connect with me!



Now on to the main attraction....



Inconsistency brings up fear.

Fear can look like this for me:  debilitation, repression, depression, and addiction.

Taking action dissolves that fear because taking action is an act of LOVE.

LOVE always dissolves fear.

But, I welcome fear.  Because fear isn't bad.

Fear is good if you choose to respect it for what it is.

It's your teacher.

It will show you the way.

You're not going to want to go.

But, you DO want to go.

Do you know that?  Can you admit to that?  Can you commit to that?

So, you just gotta have courage.

The courage to meet fear, the courage to dissolve fear, the courage to LOVE yourself, the courage to believe that you're here for something MAGNIFICENT.

It's scary, isn't it?  To LOVE and BELIEVE in yourself that much?  So much to take action on behalf of your dream?

I know.

But, accept that it's scary, and STILL GO.

Take a small step.  Small steps add up to miles eventually.

Who knows?  Maybe you'll start running after a step or two.

Just be consistent.

Build the momentum.  The momentum will carry you.

Consistency gives you power.  It gives you your power back.

With consistency, taking action gets easier.

It takes practice, and it's A practice.

Everything in life is a practice.

Don't give up on yourself so easily.  Don't give up on your dream so easily.

Life, God, The Universe doesn't play favorites.

It keeps it real and impersonal.  It gives you what you give to it.

What are you willing to give?  What are you willing to receive?

You're just as capable, you're just as special as anyone you consider to be successful.

Keep practicing.

Just know that fear will always show up when something means that much to you.

Say 'Ahhhh, I see.  Thank You.'

And then, MOVE.

Enjoy the journey.  Enjoy the fears.  Enjoy the steps.  Enjoy the miles.





I'm back to doing casting director workshops.  I signed up again as scary as it is.  I have one this  Saturday.  I don't know why it scares me so much.  I know once I get into the habit of it, I'll be fine.  It's just starting back up again.  And I know the me post-workshop will thank me for it.  I'm with me.  Are you with you?



Have a THRIVING week, peeps.


with MAAAD LOVE,


x Alex

"A New York Minute". Live Shows, Here I Come! Week 43.

Dear Diary,

Here's my offering to you this week.....

*  I'm back in LA.  I miss my family, my friends, Brooklyn, the city, Fall in NY, the subway, Union Square, pizza, and my grandma's home cooking.  It's just a plane ride away, it's just a plane ride away.

*  GIVEAWAY time!!!  I picked two winners to receive signed copies of "Scary Or Die".  Debbie Bridge and Danny Coon!!  Thank you so much for reading my blog and supporting.  THANK YOU!!!


Now on to the main attraction....

I have pictures and short blurbs from my trip back home.

I update more frequently via my Facebook and Instagram.  Be sure to "like" and "follow"!

I took this pic while driving into the city from Brooklyn.  I know, I know...don't tell the po po.  

This is my family's store in Belle Harbor, Rockaway.  Doesn't it look great now?  Remember when I was home to help them out when Hurricane Sandy hit?  Click here for video to see how Sandy affected my family.

This is Joy Choi, my momma.  We didn't have the easiest relationship when I was growing up...mother/daughter, tough love.  She's a tiny and quiet little thing.  I'm almost twice her size.  I pick her up and start swinging her around sometimes.  My mom is the type of person who only speaks when it's necessary.  My grandma told me that when she was younger, people made fun of her saying she must have bad breath because she never opens her mouth (by that I mean, she's not one to gossip).  She's one classy lady.  Our dynamic has changed since.  I kept a lot of secrets from her growing up because I assumed "she would never understand".  She does.  I just had to give her a chance.  Sometimes it's not easy because there is a generation and cultural gap but, we communicate.  I can't imagine having anyone else to be my momma.  We're definitely karmic soulmates.  I chose her and she chose me.  I'm learning a lot from her every day even though we're 3,000 miles apart.  I know I'm going to be a fantastic mom one day because of her.  I love you, mom.

This is my pops, Michael Choi.  I'm a spitting image of him, aren't I?  I have his hands.  My uncle always makes fun of me.  He says, "How is it possible to take after your dad's hand so exactly?"  Something about our thumb.  My dad was a gangster when he was growing up.  His nickname was 'The Principal'.  But, he's the biggest mush inside.  He has the biggest heart I know...sometimes to his detriment.  He's pretty stoic until he starts telling a story.  Then he gets very loud and dramatic.  His voice starts to crack too because he's just so into his story.  I get that from him.  He is THE most reliable person I know.  When he says he's going to do something, he does it.  Also, I only have to tell him something once...for example, my flight itinerary....he doesn't 'forget' ever...he's there.  He's always there for me.  He 'shows up' in more ways than one for me and my sister, no matter what he's doing or feeling.  We also didn't have the easiest relationship when I was growing up.  We rarely talked to each other.  When I stopped expecting him to be the dad I wanted and started being the daughter I wanted to be, he became the dad I could have only wished for.  I think my dad is the most handsome man.  Dad, I hope I can marry someone as wonderful as you.  I love you.

This is my grams.  She raised me, my sister, and a bunch of cousins.  She's cool, isn't she?  I made her pose for this at least three times because she would throw up deuces instead of the Asian cute peace sign.  She's from Daegu, South Korea.  Women from there are known to be gangster.  They're strong and loud.  She's got a strong personality.  She was the head of the household when I was growing up.  I remember the first time I talked back to her and I pushed her.  She was shocked.  I was in junior high.  I was now taller and physical stronger than her.  I think that must have been hard for her.  She knows our love runs deep.  And the way she shows love??  Food.  This lady cooks 24/7.  I used to hate bringing friends over because our house would stink like Korean food.  It was stressful for me because my room was on the 2nd floor and the smell would just travel up.  My clothes would always stink for school and I would always yell at her, "Why can't you stop cooking?!"  I miss her cooking now.  I love you, grams.

Yup, gold spoon and chopsticks.  I only use this when I'm back home.  I would use chopsticks over a fork any day.  Better control.  I even like cooking with chopsticks.  

My grandma always makes this ginger/jujube tea for me when I go home.  It's an ancient Korean secret.  It's so good for you....digestion, insomnia, anxiety, weight control, a blood cleanser, and excellent for your immune system.  Put more, actually a lot of dried jujube than ginger (unless you like your tea with a spicy kick) and boil it and let it simmer for a while.  You'll see it get dark.  Add honey and/or lemon if you'd like.  It's very herbal-ly, which I love.

At the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew for Suzanne Whang and Jay Nickerson's wedding.  That's Leela (blonde) and Kelly (brunette).  We got to the church early to help set up and decorate.  

At the reception.  Some of The Playing Field members.  Can't believe so many of us were able to fly to NY to help Suzanne and Jay celebrate.

I was pleasantly surprised to see this advertisement on the subway.  It's a school that teaches about sustainable happiness.  Whaaaaat.  LA is full of this but, NY?  I love it.  I also sat next to a woman on the plane on my way to NY.  We didn't say a word to each other nor did we even look at each other until 30 minutes prior to landing!  We couldn't stop talking.  We were talking about conscious living.  She's a successful NY-er and I just assumed she was more of a left-brain user but, no...she's totally in touch with her right-brain.  I was schooled!  

I forgot how crazy it is driving in NY.  Seriously, the pedestrians and drivers don't give a f*ck.  You really have to walk and drive at your own risk.  In LA, you go over the crosswalk a bit and the pedestrians mad dog you til they finish crossing.  Entitled and spoiled.  Try that in NY, you'll get run over.

Ok, so here's my outfit detail.  Fashion is a passion of mine.  I worked retail for a chunk of my life (Zara, Emporio Armani, Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Prada).  I'm a Sagittarius with Aquarius moon....I'm quirky.  Plus, my friends always want me to go shopping with them.  I'm a bargain shopper.  I splurge on certain must-haves but, I thrift a lot too.  Versatile, classic, quirky, glamorous, chill....that's my style.

Jacket:  Forever 21.  I just got it last week so they should still have.  I thought they were birds and I thought, "Oh cool...I love birds!"  Then, my friend brought it to my attention that they're bats.  Dang.  It's cool but, it's just takes a little getting used to I guess.

Shirt:  Rails Clothing.  Better pic below.

Jeans:  J Brand.  I got it from Wasteland.  I don't buy my jeans full price anymore.  I'm sure these jeans probably run between $150-$200....I paid $45 and they fit me like a glove.

Bag and shoes:  Zara.  I bought them last week also.  I LOVE them.  The shoes, I literally wore everyday.  It's got a bit of heel to it but, soooo comfortable.  I walked around the city in these!  Great litmus test.

Here's a better pic of the Rails shirt.  I love plaid and Rails is known for their super soft and comfy shirts.  They run about $128.  They're worth it.  I've been looking for a good plaid and I've been looking for a good denim.  A combo!  Best of both worlds.

They are bats, huh?

This was at the Mondrian SoHo.

This is me in the Matrix.  Did you know that I suck at math?  Don't even bother asking me how much to tip...it stresses me out.  Maybe I feel the pressure as an Asian to be good at it.  Still, I love numbers.  I see repeating numbers all the time, like 11:11, 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, 5:55.  And I love numerology.  

Meet my buddy, Phil.  We've been friends since high school.  Phil works as an EMT in NYC.  When I need a bodyguard one day, Imma call his ass.  Wouldn't it be cool to have a bodyguard/medic??

Sunday brunch at Ken and Cook.  I always hit whoever's around me when I'm laughing.  My friend, Grace took the pics instead of being in them.  She and I also have been friends since high school.  We used to all cut school, go to a diner to eat, then head over to the local pool hall and hang out there all day.  Truants.  Bah hahaha.  Yep, I used to hustle fools in pool.  

This is my homegirl, C (Charlene)!  We've been friends since my college days.  We worked at Zara together in the city (the Midtown store on 5th and 16th/17th).  She's a personal stylist.  Love her new hair do.  Deuces, b*tches!

Art work in Union Square.  The artist is Felix Morelo.  He drew a bunch of different faces and every 10 has been marked.  This one was around 50.

This one made me laugh.  "Bad Luck Spot".  I did walk around it.  Superstitious, much?

This is my Hello Kitty diary.  My first diary ever!  Who knew this was the beginning of The Diary Of The THRIVING Actress?  It's amazing when you go back home and rummage through old things and you see how much you've changed and how much you haven't.  The entries are very inconsistent.  But, I do remember telling myself, "Shit, I gotta write more often".  I'm doing it now!  The power of intention.  Sometimes things don't happen until they're suppose to happen.  But, I always told myself, "Be consistent".  I've been reading them over...I haven't changed!!!  Ahhh hahahaha.  I always start off with some kind of anger, sadness, and/or disappointment but, as I write it out, I see the lessons.  I remember going into my closet before going to bed to write stuff out.  I remember sobbing a lot.  

Yep, that happened.  I participated in a few pageants back in the day.  This one was for the Miss Korea New York 2002.  I placed first-runner up.  I should have placed first.  I'm letting it go.  You see, that was a pretty big disappointment for me.  The girl who placed first and the girl who placed third were twins.  I split them up.  There were rumors that it was rigged.  Regardless, I worked hard for it.  And I really thought I was going to win.  I was about to step forward to accept the crown when they were about to announce the winner.  That's how sure I was.  I stood there and smiled even though my heart and mind couldn't understand what the hell was going on.  But, I did get something out of it...a free trip to Korea to participate for the national competition.  Even flew Business class.  It was an experience.  Still can't believe I did that.  Crazy.

My first magazine cover!  I did this to get some exposure for the Miss Korea NY competition.  Doing pageants is like running for political office. 

Had the best chicken pot pie at Lillie's in Union Square.  It's all Victorian.  So pretty.

Ever since I was a little girl, I always thought I had special super powers.  I have to marry Superman.  I have to and make super hero babies.  I just have to.  The world needs them.

Another pic while driving.  When I say I'm from Brooklyn....I mean deep into Brooklyn.  What you know about this?

Hey LA, this is how Fall looks.  Just sayin.  It's ok, you have your beautiful palm trees.  

I was missing Bells so much.  Did you know I love animals and animal print?

This was me looking for my phone to give to my friend to take a picture.  I realized she was holding my phone already.  Jeeeez.  #ScatterBrain  #IMissUnionSquare

At Strand Bookstore in Union Square.

I miss you family, friends, and NY!  I wish I could have seen more friends while I was there, especially my two besties, Jeannine and Allie.  Before I moved out to LA, I went to Times Square by myself to have a little alone time with the city.  I looked up at billboards and I made a promise to myself.  I'm not moving back until my face is up on at least one of those billboards.  I don't know about that anymore.  I can be pretty prideful and stubborn but, it just reminds me of my courage and determination.  NY, I'm gonna make you proud.  So, just set aside a billboard for me.  ;)

Happy THRIVING, peeps.  

with MAAAAD LOVE,

x Alex