Welcome to My NEW Adventure!

Greetings, friends! I've decided to turn this blog (at least temporarily) into a blog about my experiences with AMTC - Actors, Models and Talent for Christ. If you remember a prior list I had, auditioning for AMTC was one of my "things to do" this year. I'm not sure how long it's been, but I've felt for a while now that God was calling me out of my teaching position to go do something totally different. And that "totally different something" was acting. My response, naturally, was "God, are you nuts?" Of course He's not... but really? Me?

And He said, "Why not you?"

I wrestled with the idea for quite some time. I mean, there are a lot of people out there who are very talented and would LOVE to become professional actors, singers, dancers, etc. and just don't seem to make it. Was this just an idea in my head that I was entertaining because I've always had a passion for it but never the real confidence to do much about it?

I have spent many weeks, perhaps even months or years if I really think about it, in prayer about the whole thing. I don't want to waste time and resources if this is not truly where God wants me to go. I do believe I received an answer. More than once. (It takes a while for God to convince me sometimes!) I prayed for an unmistakeable sign... something that I couldn't easily explain away as coincidence. I got it. So I auditioned.

The next day, I received my callback, and the exciting news that AMTC wanted to work with me in acting, singing and commercial modeling. Don't worry, I did my homework on AMTC prior to auditioning and found that they are a great Christ-centered company, not a scam! So I attended my orientation and began to pray some more about all this. Part of AMTC (one of the biggest and most exciting parts) is their bi-annual SHINE convention, held in Orlando. There, participants spend 6 days attending seminars taught by industry professionals and performing in showcases before 50-100 top casting directors, agents, talent scouts, etc. (No pressure, right?)

To receive all of the training (online and in person) that I need to prepare for SHINE and the possible jobs to come afterward, it costs a daunting $5,000. This doesn't include travel expenses. I'll likely drive to Orlando, since it's only 6 hours away, but I still need to cover that AND my stay at the hotel while I'm there.

"So, OK God. You've got me this far. You know I can't afford this on my own. I'm leaving it up to you."

And so, I've been a busy little bee. Not only applying here, there, and everywhere for a new job, but also working on ways to raise funds. I've offered myself for odd jobs like computer repair and pet sitting, and have also started preparing and selling homemade goods.

It is on this blog that I intend on posting updates on my progress and asking for your continual prayer and support. It's going to be quite a journey... but I'm ready and excited to see what God is going to do! He's already shown me that He's got my back. Take a look at my fundraising thermometer. God has provided nearly $500 in less than a month! I have no doubt that He will take care of me, my family, and all our needs.

Thanks for hanging with me on this SUPER-long post. Future ones won't be so long... but I just wanted to update "ya'll!"

~ Allison

#11, 14, 33, 62, 70, and 95! (aka "I'm on my way!")

Well, dear readers, it appears that this GPS of mine has taken me on a rather wild and eventful ride through the last few months. There's so much that has happened that I can hardly blog about it all, but most of you who read me on Facebook know the major details anyway. So instead of dwelling on all the craziness, I thought I'd catch up on my list. I set out in January to do 100 things and thought the other day, "Man, there's no way I'm going to make it. I've done nothing since then!" But aha - I have. Makes me think that God probably had something to do with the making of this list. Neat, huh? Read on...


#11. Volunteer my time in a new way.
I could respond to this in two different ways. First of all, I've volunteered at church for Easter weekend. Not sure what I'll be doing because I told them I'd gladly go wherever needed... but I'm really enjoying this new church, and might just stick around as a volunteer if things go well!


Also, because of my mother's recent diagnosis of colon cancer and the major surgery that went along with it, I have had to spend some time living at my parents' house to care for her. My father is an independent contractor with no benefits, so if he doesn't work, the bills don't get paid. And, as you can imagine, the bills for this sort of diagnosis really add up fast! For the first 5 years of working in the school system, I maintained perfect or nearly perfect attendance, and thus saved up a lot of days of leave. I didn't realize that leave rolled over from one year to the next, but God did! And just when we needed it, it was there. So I'm on paid leave until mom no longer needs me home with her. It's been a lot of work and a bit trying at times, but I truly find joy in helping my family out.

14. Become a couponing queen.
I may not be a couponing "queen" just yet, but my parents just laugh and shake their heads at me now when I tell them of coupons arriving in the mail or the latest deal I've snagged for them... so I guess I'm close! Part of helping my parents out has become teaching my father (who does the grocery shopping and cooking for the household) how to do the Grocery Game to help us afford the things we want and need without breaking budget. (And actually, we should be able to be under budget eventually, which will help pay for all the other bills!) We've only been in on it one week and already they're skeptical... but I'll keep clipping and shopping and they'll be glad later I'm sure.

33. Surprise my Jazzercise customers in some way
There was a not-so-good surprise involved, but I won't go into details. But the good surprise for my Lite customers is that we've grown and expanded! Due to the number of people attending class, I had them keep their chairs (for the strength training portion of class) off to the sides and back of the room to create more space on the dance floor. They still say that it feels "weird" to them, but it sure does give them more room to move! Also, I've added new morning class times that will start in June. They're very happy about that. There are more surprises to come with the summer attendance game, but I may blog about that later. Don't want to give away all my secrets yet!

62. Re-organize the pantry.
I didn't actually re-organize my pantry... it was my parents' pantry. We needed it to be better organized so that we could see what was there and to make room for stocking up on deals as they come. I added an over-the-door shoe organizer (the kind with pockets) to the inside of the pantry door to hold little things like granola bars, extra spice bottles, popcorn bags, etc.) Pictures in a future update, perhaps?

70. Refresh my resume.
I've only had one teaching job other than the one I'm currently in, and most of the information was straight from college. So it was time! It's nearly done.

95. Do something for someone that they couldn't do themselves
I've been my mother's roommate for the past 3 weeks, since she came home from surgery. For a while, I was here to help her get out of bed, to walk, to use the bathroom... to everything! Now she can get around OK by herself but still needs rides to appointments, care for her surgical wound, meals prepared, etc. and the rest of my family has needed the extra set of hands with keeping up with the house as well. And then yesterday, I had to whisk our oldest kitty, Dusty, to the vet because he seemed to be struggling to breathe. I was glad that mom hadn't been home alone then, because she wouldn't have been able to take him to get help!

So... you can see why I've been so quiet blog-wise these past few weeks. But God has been very good. I'm embarking on some new adventures, STILL in "Murder at Rutherford House" and absolutely loving it, and I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store!


So there's much more to this story... stay tuned, dear readers. And thanks for supporting me through all this. You know who you are.


~ Allison

God is my GPS

Ahh, the GPS. New-fangled and expensive technology for only the elite just a few years ago, now commonplace in most vehicles and even devices primarily used for other purposes, such as cell phones. It's a wonderful convenience, isn't it? No longer do you have to rely on hand-written directions and crudely sketched "maps" from those who think they know how to get you from point A to point B. You don't even need to have a navigator in the passenger seat to read off the step-by-step turns as directed from a website like maps.com! All you've got to do is tell that little rectangular device where it is you'd like to go (you don't even have to tell it where you are, isn't that amazing?) and in a matter of moments, you're on your way!

Now, GPS devices (whether they're a built-in feature of your vehicle, a stand-alone device attached to your windshield, or an add-on feature of your cellular phone) do have their flaws. Mine is of the stand-alone variety, and it sometimes has trouble finding a signal. Once or twice it has taken me to a dead-end or asked me to turn onto a road that would cause me to go against the flow of traffic. Sometimes it loses its signal and can't figure out where I am, let alone how to get me there. And there's that annoying little "suction cup" which is intended for securing my little GPS to the windshield in a nice easy-to-see-and-access location... which no longer has any sort of "suction" function. Thus I am forced to balance the device on my dashboard or on the passenger seat next to me, hoping I can judge by the verbal cues where exactly the thing would like me to make my next turn.

Why a sudden post about technology? Well, this post actually has little to do with technology, actually. It's more about the path I've found myself on in the recent weeks. You see, I've been spending a lot of time in prayer over my life and my future. I know that God has it all mapped out for me, but, unlike a man-made GPS, I can't take a glance at the turn-by-turn directions before I move forward! I feel like God is nudging me to make a lot of changes, and while I'm thrilled by the potential that I see before me, I'm also terrified of the thought that what *I* think is right could potentially be wrong. Very wrong. And unlike a standard GPS, I also don't get to be the one to plug in my destination. I can, of course, cry out to God about the desires of my heart and what my hopes and dreams are, but I also believe that God is the source of those passions, talents, hopes and dreams... and what He has for me is certainly going to be beyond what I could ever imagine.

Woah. That got pretty deep for a second, didn't it? Still with me? Good!

You've probably seen or at least heard of the bumper sticker slogan, "God is my co-pilot." But to me, that feels like perhaps we're sharing the road... you know, I navigate for a while, He navigates for a while... and that just doesn't sit right with me. Instead, I think a better way to think of it is "God is my GPS." No, the destination is not certain, but there are sure to be a lot of points of interest along the way. When I ignore my God-GPS and make a wrong turn, we may have to take a long detour, but I believe He can guide me back to the right path if I'll just listen. (And He won't make the annoyed-sounding statement, "recalculating!" like my father's GPS does!) We might go through some storms and hit some rough patches, but I know that if I keep listening, and keep trusting, He won't lead me to a dead end. Ever.

Lots to think about as I embark on some new ventures in my life. I hope you'll join me for the ride. It's going to be one heck of a road trip! I'll bring the snacks.

~ Allison

#80 - Audition for something (the continuation...)

Great news! Well, at least I think it's great news. It's great, and a bit terrifying at the same time. I've been welcomed as the newest member of CAST! (That stands for "Community Alliance for Stage and Theater" if I've never told you. Or you forgot. Either way...)

I wasn't totally sure I'd get in. I mean, yeah, I was the lone ranger at my audition. And they did tell me I did a nice job. But it was an awfully awkward script for me, and... well... these people don't know whether I can act! I read quite well, if I do say so myself. Been doing that since I was 4. (Thanks, Sesame Street!) But anyway... the way I was welcomed wasn't exactly the way I'd envisioned it.

I figured I'd get a phone call. I didn't. But I did get an email from L, urging the recipients to come to an audition to be held this coming Monday. (I guess they didn't get enough folks to audition this past Tuesday.) Curious, I wrote L asking her if the group had considered starting a Facebook page. After all, Facebook is everywhere... and that's where all the cool stuff happens, right? The place for people in the know! (And also those who have WAY too much time on their hands...) I told L all about how wonderful a FB page could be for the group, not only to reach potential actors and actresses, but also to advertise upcoming shows.

L loved the idea, and thanked me for volunteering to set it up. (What? Should have seen that coming.) I did, all in a couple of hours, and sent it to L and the director. He replied to me that he was excited about the FB page and having me on board, and looked forward to working with me on the upcoming show as soon as a cast list could be made.

Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/CAST-Productions-Douglasville/123045564431474 Snazzy, eh? I hope I get a nice, professional-looking photo to put up on there with MY bio someday!

So... that's it! I'm in. I'm honored, excited, and terrified all at the same time. I've never done interactive theatre before, so it should be interesting. But you can bet that I'll be the first one to sell you all tickets to the show! :-)

Love,

~ Allison

#80 - Audition for something

Check this one off of the list, ladies and gents. I did it! I almost chickened out...

During the ice-in last week, I received an email from the local community theatre group (C.A.S.T.) about auditions for an upcoming mystery dinner theatre. The play is called "Murder at Rutherford House" and will be held in late March through early April.

So... it's been a good 6 years since I've auditioned for a part in a play, and I have never done dinner theatre. (Attending one doesn't count, even if you know one of the cast members!) But I have always had this love/hate relationship with watching live stage performances. I love it, because it's great entertainment... but I hate it, because I'm always wishing it was *me* up on that stage!

Well, I may not have to wish for much longer. I admit, the "audition" was a little different than what I'm used to. I met the director and 2 of their regular members, but I was the only one there to read for a part. They're having another audition tomorrow and are expecting a few more people, they said. I'm welcome to come back tomorrow if I'd like, but I probably won't.

The script was ordered and has not arrived yet, probably due to snowmageddon last week... so I had to read from a different script. It was a romantic comedy, and I admit it was a little awkward doing a cold reading in a role that is trying to seduce another character... but I did my best and they seemed OK with how I did.

Now, I wait. It sounded to me like I'm "in"... but of course I don't even know what the roles are so I'm not sure what kind of part I'll get! We shall see, and I will certainly keep my readers posted.

Thus begins a new and exciting venture in my life! Today, Douglasville... tomorrow Broadway! OK, maybe not tomorrow. But I *would* love to at least see a show there if I ever get the chance. Even if it means stirring up the whole love/hate thing. :-)

~ Allison

#26 - Random Acts of Kindness (aka Blizzard of 2011, Day 1)

Well, folks, Georgia has basically been shut down for the day. They're saying on the news that this is a bad winter storm, at least as bad as the "big blizzard of '93!" I wasn't around here for that, but I know what it means... NO SCHOOL!

On Sundays, I always spend the afternoon and evening with my family after church. They live a mere 15 minutes from me, but on days like this it's too dangerous to drive over those winding roads toward my apartment. So I'm camping out with my parents and sister. No complaints here, really! I was able to get my "100 things in 2011" list done, and even tried a new recipe! But I think I'll save that for another blog post.

So today I accomplished one thing on my list. It felt so good, I hate to cross it off! So I guess I won't... I'll put a little check mark or something beside it for now. What was it? Well as you might have noted, my title read "#26 - Random Acts of Kindness."

After sleeping in (at my parents' house) and delighting in the fact that my Dad is working from home today (yay!), I went downstairs into the kitchen and decided to clean out the refrigerator. It was full as full could be, and you couldn't really tell what was good and what wasn't, except for a few obvious (but unidentifiable) vegetables in the bin. It's been that way for a while, and I know that my parents are both quite busy... and cleaning out a fridge is a necessary but very UGH (for lack of a better word at the moment) task!

So I did it. Just like Mommy showed me when I was little (she'd clean out the fridge with a bucket of soapy water & baking soda and a rag while I'd do the same in my Little Tykes kitchen with one of my plastic bowls and a little washcloth) I moved things around, tossed stuff out, and scrubbed it all, shelf by shelf. And you know what? I actually enjoyed doing it! Not that it wasn't a bit gross... of course it was... but doing it and doing it well for my family as a sort of "gift" to them made it worthwhile!

Dad says he hopes that the snow lasts all week long. I don't think he should press his luck! ;-)

Stay warm, my friends!

~ Allison

100 Things in 2011

As mentioned in my first post, I've decided to take on the challenge of creating a list of 100 things I'd like to do in 2011... and then accomplishing them! And as I do, I'll blog about my experiences.

Now, I don't expect to be able to think up 100 things to do in one sitting... that might take a while! But as things come to mind, I'll add them. Completing them will happen in no particular order, but I hope to be able to do them all by the end of the year.

1. Begin my own blog.

Oh wait... did that one already. Hmm...

OK. For reals, I'm going to make this list happen! Of course, I'm open to suggestions and inspirations from you as well! Some of it will be serious, some will be fun... all will be do-able.

1. Re-build emergency fund.
2. Update the look of this blog so it's a lot cuter!
3. Purchase canning equipment.
4. Learn how to safely can homemade foods.
ü5. Participate in a church drama or theater group.
6. Compile a repertoire of freezer-friendly recipes.
7. Travel to another state with friends/to visit friends.
ü8. Back up all my important files.
9. Post unwanted books on Paperbackswap.com
10. Donate clothes I won't wear anymore.
ü11. Volunteer my time in a new way.
12. Get to know my neighbors.
13. Go on dates!
ü14. Become a couponing queen.
15. Read the entire Bible.
ü16. Chase professional ambitions.
17. Save up for an AMTC workshop.
ü18. Donate hair to Locks of Love.
19. Get kitties to lose weight!
20. Eat fewer processed foods.
21. Lose 30 lbs.
22. Mentor a new Jazzercise trainee.
23. Learn to skate on quad skates again.
24. Go swimming at Boundary Waters.
25. Post a video to YouTube.
ü26. Random Acts of Kindness
27. Read a how-to book.
28. Go cosmic bowling.
29. Spend a day at the Mall of Georgia.
30. Go to the beach.
31. Fly a kite on the beach.
32. Stargaze (preferably with a telescope)
ü33. Surprise my Jazzercise customers in some way.
34. Teach Hannah to drive a stick shift.
35. Indulge in a spa day.
ü36. Re-organize storage space.
37. Sell unwanted teacher stuff.
38. Earn enough Swagbucks to buy a cool new toy.
39. Visit the Dekalb Farmer's Market for goodies.
40. Get involved in a new ministry.
41. Shop with a cash budget.
42. Pay off credit cards.
43. See a Broadway musical.
44. Teach Personal Touch session(s).
45. Meet Idina Menzel (ha! OK... dreaming on that one...)
46. Learn to make a gum wrapper chain.
47. Go to a Braves game.
48. Go to a Hawks game.
49. Have apartment carpets cleaned.
50. Care for a houseplant without killing it. :-)
51. Start a container garden.
52. Attend a cooking class.
53. Take a Yoga class.
54. Blow bubbles with a child.
55. Decorate a cake.
56. Eat something I've never tried before.
57. Make a homemade pizza.
58. View something from a new perspective.
59. Go ice skating.
60. Flip on a trampoline. (I've never dared!)
ü61. Raise caterpillars to butterflies.
ü62. Re-organize the pantry.
63. Spend a day with just me, God, and a camera.
64. Attend/Host a game night.
65. Turn balcony into comfortable/functional space.
66. Make a recipe "scrapbook"
67. Get bicycle repaired.
68. Purge old files/documents no longer needed.
69. Organize important papers.
ü70. Refresh my resume.
71. Create something new out of something old.
72. Laugh till it hurts.
73. Indulge my inner child.
74. Visit a museum or historical landmark.
75. Pack/organize out-of-season clothes.
76. Enjoy s'mores with someone
77. Raise $3,000 for Susan G. Komen for the cure
78. Write product reviews
79. Play a new game
ü80. Audition for something
81. Have my violin bow re-haired/replaced
82. Play aforementioned violin
83. Attend a concert
84. Start a "hope chest" (or tub... since I don't really have room for a big wooden chest!)
85. Take a drive to "wherever"
86. Eliminate a habit I dislike
87. Start a new habit I like
88. Write "Thank You" notes
89. Transfer memories from Mini-DV to DVD
90. Figure out how to transfer VHS to DVD too!
91. Assemble a puzzle
ü92. eBay, Facebook, Craig's List or yard sale to get rid of stuff!
93. Dress up for a special occasion
94. Celebrate my 30th birthday (November 20) in a special way
ü95. Do something for someone that they couldn't do themselves
96. Paint something
97. Learn a new dance
98. Sing karaoke
99. Share my faith with others
100. Put God's "to do' list for my life at #1, and enjoy the ride...

WHEW! Can you believe I actually had to use the "find" feature on my browser to make sure I didn't duplicate anything? Well duh... I'm sure you can believe that. Let me know if I missed anything, but I can't wait to get started on my list now that it's finished! Stay tuned, dear friends... it's going to be an amazing year!
~ Allison