Recap 2018 pt. 1

This update is long overdue. I have been around the world and back and I will soon tell you all about it. Here is part one of the adventure!

To begin I worked on a movie in Kentucky and had an absolute blast with the amazing crew. I took weekend trips to National Parks, Dollywood and near by states.  It was hard work and I learned a great deal. Thank you Kentucky for welcoming us into your mountains with open arms. Truly working together, and creating an environment where we came together to tell a story was beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing the final film. Being a 2^nd AD isn’t always easy; I have my share of frustrations and dilemmas however everyday I also find solutions and a positive moment. I felt accomplishment finishing my first distant location film! It was difficult to say goodbye to the crew, which became more like family.    

Instead of returning to New York I went west. I took pleasure getting some rest and relaxation on my trip to Oregon. I had a wonderful time just relaxing. I had never been to Washington so I took the train up to Seattle. I had a lovely time eating and exploring the city. I got recommendations from locals and took my time taking in the city.

I rented a car and took a pacific west road trip south. I am lucky enough to have friends and family along the way. I drove down from Seattle and stopped in Astoria, Oregon for dinner. I was so close to Haystack Rock I had to visit. It was at night so I don’t have any pictures. The Oregon coast is majestic. It felt like a dream. At the entrance there was a steam of water and at first it seem as if I wouldn’t get past it unless I was willing to dunk my shoes in. Then I found a bridge I walked across it, taking me to dry sand. The light of the full moon guided me to the outline of the rocks and the waves.  I walked till I saw the reflection of the rock in the water that laid upon the packed sand. The wind took my hair and made it dance. It felt like the dream sequence in A Flower Drum Song minus the man. It was a dream in reality. I was right where I was supposed to be. I brought my headlamp and used it sparingly. The calm of the repeating waves and the whistle of the wind keep me company.

I drove down Highway one. On my drive only a few thing kept me company. An audiobook of Crazy Rich Asians, the sound track to A Star is Born (which I sang my heart out to) and conversations I had with my future self. I returned to Salem slept up and hit the road again.

(Great) Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Victor were overjoyed to meet me for lunch in Jacksonville, Oregon. I completely forgot that it had been more then fifteen years since I had visited them. We gabbed till the sun went down and we all determined I would stay the night and we would wake up to have breakfast together.

We had an absolutely amazing cinnamon rolls at Rooster’s Restaurant. Even writing the word cinnamon makes my mouth water… I truly enjoyed hearing about my great grandmother and other stories of my families past. My Aunt and Uncle have been married for over 60 years and to see them together was inspiring.

I continued my drive to San Francisco to visit my fabulous, determined, organized friend Lauren from College. We had a wonderful time catching up and exchanged advice. She has wonderful friends that I farted around. “I am not capable of making that smell, no human can make that smell”- A San Fran friend…

Did I mention while I was in Kentucky I was training for a marathon? I started to run because I craved accomplishment. I was in-between film projects and wanted a good reason to wake up in the morning. I can accomplish so much when I’m working I have a difficult time demanding the same rigger from my daily tasks when I have time off.  So I started a Nike training plan. I would wake up and run as far as the training plan said.  Once I got to Kentucky and started working I was committed to keep training. Even after hours on set I would go run. There was amazingly a 24 hour gym and I was able to go at anytime. Mostly I had the gym to myself. I am not a treadmill runner but I learned to adjust. I ran two 5k races in town and after that I had an idea of what was a good place to run outdoors.

Running was the best break from shooting. It let me clear my mind and breath in the fresh air. The leaves changed every Sunday. I ran up to 18 miles while I was in Kentucky and it was the ideal place to train.

I continued my running as I traveled.

One of my favorite runs was a nine mile run from Lauren’s house to The Golden Gate Bridge as the sun went down.

My next stop was visiting my older brother his wife and my AMAZING nieces. Seeing the people I love, sitting on the couch and catching up is truly an amazing gift. 

My younger sister Arisa picked me up and I went back to home base in LA.  She had also been road trippin and I was happy to have the reunion.

I rest and I ran in LA and that weekend My mom, Edlin and I took a road trip to Lake Mead National Recreational Area.