Just Chillin...

Wednesday was a lot of fun! Doing the UCLA study really helped me to reflect on my career and goals. I’m happy that I did it.

I went back and forth about Thursday night because I ended up being really tired that day, probably because I’ve been cleaning like a mad woman. Nesting, they call it. (Initially I was supposed to attend a PAIN MANAGEMENT class on that evening, but after calling the hospital earlier in the week, I realized I’d already taken the class back in 2002 when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter.) So, I cancelled the pain class, and opted for the Q&A. I’m glad I did, because I ended up having a great conversation with Robin Nassif afterwards. We talked about the olden days, and she showed me pictures of her boys. (Who are now pre-teens.) I told her I’d be sending her a packet, and that I would love to come in and meet with her and Patrick Baca sometime next month, after I’ve had my baby.

So, it looks as if my Maternity Leave from acting might not last that long...:)...which is fine with me. My goal is to make as much paper as I can acting this summer so I don’t HAVE to go back to my day job in mid-August.

My husband is always telling me I “just need to sit down somewhere!” But I can’t. I get bored REALLY fast. I’m not sure if it’s the SAGITTARIUS in me, or the fact that I take after my dad, who is a complete workaholic!

I had a Dr’s appt this morning, and made yet ANOTHER trip to Target. (Quite possibly my 10th this month alone.) Two weeks to go until the big day! This baby is really hanging in til the end.

Since I’m sure I’ll finish cleaning and sorting my home within the next couple of days, I told my husband, come mid-week, I’m going to start visiting the people on my church’s sick and shut-in list. (Something that I wish I had more time to do as part of my normal routine.) I’ve always loved being around older people, and just hearing the stories they tell about things that occurred before I was born really blows my mind. I can remember many a summer day sitting in my grandma’s HOT Alabama kitchen, watching her cook greens and cornbread or black eyed peas and fried okra, as she told me stories about my mom and her siblings. I miss those days. I hope to have those days with my grandchildren one day, AND I hope they enjoy them as much as I did.

Nita G.

FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST...

Thank GOD almighty! I'm FREE AT LAST!

Today officially marks the second day of my Maternity Leave. Yes, I made it!

Now there’s only three weeks to go until my due date. However, I’m inclined to believe that I won’t go that long. We’ll see. So far my days have been spent going to my Dr’s office, running errands, and getting my hair braided again. (FYI…Most black women find braids to be much more manageable than our own hair at times. Especially when there is a baby on the way!) So I will be rocking these for a minute or two. All black this time. Don’t worry, the fro will make its appearance sometime this summer.

If you will, allow me to back track for a moment. Friday before last, on Cinco de Mayo, I attended a surprise birthday bash given for one of my web buddies, Tanika Brown McKelvy. It was a lot of fun, and it’s always quite comforting to kick it with fellow solders in the struggle. At Tanika’s I got to meet another web buddy, Melissa Madison, and Tanika introduced me to some of her other friends while I was there. I missed getting to chat with Stephon though, he came after I'd left. Drats! The next day, Tanika and her daughter invited me and my daughter out for lunch in honor of my little bun in the oven. We munched on tacos, and continued some discussions that’d gotten underway the night before.

Last week was spent working overtime trying to get my desks at work, and at home, situated. In the midst of it, I got an e-mail from a professor at UCLA asking if I’d like to be interviewed for a dissertation project (that will be published as a book) that she is writing about professional actors. Cool! (My friend Del referred me to her.) I agreed to it, and we are supposed to meet tomorrow morning (5/17) to do the 1 hour interview.

On Thursday night (5/18) I’ve RSVP’d for a Q/A with Robin Nassif and Patrick Baca. I know, I know, I am supposed to be taking it slow, but here’s an interesting story, and the reason why I really want to go to this event. I have NEVER been to that office for an audition, but if I can get close enough, I will most certainly ask Robin if she remembers me from way back when, when I used to baby sit her kids, and hobnob at her home, during my days with DTG (formerly known as The Chris Nassif Agency). Maybe THAT will change things, and they’ll start calling me in over there...:)...I can only hope.

P.S. I’m sure you’re wondering whatever happened to BRINGING HOME BABY, well we decided not to pursue it, BUT you should still be able to see us on my in-laws episode. I will keep you posted as to when it will air.

Ciao.

Happy Cinco de Mayo...

Not much going on these days in my neck of the woods, just trying to wrap things up at my day job, which is usually when I blog, before next Friday (5/12). Next Friday is my last day of work, before the start of my 3 month maternity leave. Thank you Jesus! I am so excited. I CAN NOT wait! Getting up and out the door for work each morning is torture. Once on leave, I’ll have two whole weeks filled with R&R before my baby comes. Okay, not necessarily R&R because I'll still be making the final preparations for her arrival, but the cool thing is, I will consume myself with home life. That should give me more than enough time to get things done.

You know what’s funny? I’m planning all this, and my baby could come tonight if she wanted to. I am 9 months (or 36 weeks) pregnant right now, so she could come at any time. (Lord knows enough people have commented on the fact that I am “SO HUGE”, and “That baby just ain’t gonna stay in there another four weeks!”) Let’s just hope she’ll at least wait until AFTER I get my hair braided again, and AFTER my PAIN MANAGEMENT class at Cedars Sinai, both of which are scheduled during my first week of leave.

I was fortunate enough to have had 2 baby showers this week. They were both glorious. My husband and I are truly blessed to have so many people that care about us. We got so much stuff. One of the showers was given by my friends at church, the other was a surprise diaper shower given by my co-workers. So, it looks like we’re good to go!

In acting news, my theatrical agent sent out an e-mail sometime ago asking clients (who had some measure of success in 2005) if they’d like to be a part of an ad she wants to place in an upcoming issue of the Variety. I agreed to do it, so sometime in July, not sure when yet, you should see me in the Variety. Hopefully it will drum up some interest in me for the fall season. Actually, it's going to cost a pretty penny, so it better drum up something!...:)...

In July I will be one month or so postpartum, so I will have to do some serious working out to get myself back in shape. I mean, I’m not gonna go crazy like some celebrities do, but I have to keep in mind that I’d like to jump back on the scene ASAP. So I gotta be ready. I also plan to take that 2 week trip back to New Mexico in July so that I can do some auditioning there, so I gotta be ready for that too. I’ll probably start out with walking, and lifting some light weights. As well as, steering clear of the foods I’ve come to adore during this pregnancy.

In addition to so many other things, new pictures will be on the agenda for this summer. I plan to shed the braids for a natural look. Afro’s have always been the IN thing in Los Angeles. I don’t know what ever made me get rid of mine in 2002, but I think I’m ready to have it back.

My blog of choice these days: Celebrity Babies. I'm obsessed.

SGKM