Acting is a hobby of mine. I love acting. No, that's not quite right...I LOVE acting! Two years ago at about this time, I answered an open call to an acting school in the Cities. Upon enrolling, I completed one acting class and one modeling class. Since then I've taken part in several gigs of each variety in the Cities area, and have realized that I LOVE acting and modeling is, well, going to be put on the backburner for awhile except for those things I've already committed to.
Acting is so expressive, and I have met some absolutely wonderful people through this particular art. One of the films I was in recently ("The Humanity Code") won an award at a local film festival. Next week a friend and I get to attend the premiere of another project I was in. The past two weekends have seen me traveling to Wausau, WI to act in a movie by Jarrod Crooks. I've even served as crew and helped hold booms, maintain continuity between takes, etc. (For my IMDB profile, click here...but note that it is a work in progress). To tell you the truth, I think every actor should be on a crew or two at some point - it really helps to know what the crew is going through when trying to make a shot "right". BUT somehow the thought of Charlie Sheen in control of a boom makes me nervous : )
For now, my acting/modeling is limited due to being 8 months pregnant, still in school, and working 30 hours a week. This summer, I hope to get back into the acting more, actively seeking roles and such, and modeling with a group that I am part of.
So yah, that is this week's installment of "random tidbits about Nora". Tune in next time to hear the squirrely details about getting ready to have a kid. : )
Mar 13, 2012
Feb 25, 2012
/inhale "We can do this."
Not gonna lie, the last few weeks have been super stressful on a number of levels. My academic load has been heavy and will continue to be so for awhile. Work has not been the most restful of places (though anyone's work usually isn't unless they are paid to test mattresses or something). AND a baby is on his way, due to make his appearance in just over 6 weeks.
Six weeks. Good grief.
Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to having my little boy in my arms, but there is an overwhelming sense of "can we really do this?" that has been plaguing me for awhile. Dahmon says that he is experiencing abject terror, a terror that will subside after Young Son is out of college. :) I've just been very "how in the world are we going to do this?"
And then God brings friends to mind, wonderful friends who have supported us through this entire pregnancy and offered words of encouragement, kindness, and prayer. Family, people from both of our schools (Hamline and Luther Sem), people from our various work places, people who live and have lived with us, friends from church - all of these people have helped me remember to breathe and to feel like we can actually raise this child, that the first few months are always tricky, and that no matter what God is present.
I am not kidding in the least by saying that without our friends and family, I would not have thought that raising this child, finishing school during the first few months of his life, and continuing to work would be possible. Through God things are possible, I know, but worry is easy. You have all been amazing - you will NEVER know how much you have all helped me in this time of preparation (especially given that my family all live so far away).
OH, and a recent belly pic:
Week 32:
Six weeks. Good grief.
Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to having my little boy in my arms, but there is an overwhelming sense of "can we really do this?" that has been plaguing me for awhile. Dahmon says that he is experiencing abject terror, a terror that will subside after Young Son is out of college. :) I've just been very "how in the world are we going to do this?"
And then God brings friends to mind, wonderful friends who have supported us through this entire pregnancy and offered words of encouragement, kindness, and prayer. Family, people from both of our schools (Hamline and Luther Sem), people from our various work places, people who live and have lived with us, friends from church - all of these people have helped me remember to breathe and to feel like we can actually raise this child, that the first few months are always tricky, and that no matter what God is present.
I am not kidding in the least by saying that without our friends and family, I would not have thought that raising this child, finishing school during the first few months of his life, and continuing to work would be possible. Through God things are possible, I know, but worry is easy. You have all been amazing - you will NEVER know how much you have all helped me in this time of preparation (especially given that my family all live so far away).
OH, and a recent belly pic:
Week 32:
Feb 7, 2012
Don't judge, people! Yeesh.
So here's something I didn't expect. If you've glanced at this blog you know I'm pregnant - 31 weeks and counting (one website says that makes Baby 7 months along, another says 8). At this point in the pregnancy, I've gained about 30 lbs. Only approximately 3 of that is currently Drexel (whose middle name has been decided upon, by the way: Enoch)...which leaves 27 lbs to everything else...including a decent amount of retained water.
As a consequence of this retained water and other poofiness due to the ingestion of much vanilla ice cream, my fingers are poofier than they were even a month ago. Typically I'm sporting 4 rings: wedding/engagement, a man-made sapphire, and a flower. About a month ago the sapphire ring broke, so it is unwearable. The flower was getting just a bit snug, so I took it off. Then about a week ago, I had to remove my wedding/engagement rings because they were getting so tight that Dahmon and I were concerned about the possibility of their having to be cut off in the delivery room once Drexel makes his arrival. Makes more sense to take the rings off now while they can still come off than to wait until they are in danger of choppage.
So I've been ringless for the last week or so. No big deal, right?
Keep in mind that I also look young for my age. Despite the fact that I'm 23, I can easily pass for 16 or 17 and in fact have caused a few jaws to drop when I've told people that um, yeah, I've been married for 4.5 years. = ) Now, in life Dahmon and I are each accustomed in our own ways to being the oddball. He's the super smart one who knows a little bit about everything and a lot about a lot of things. I'm the quirky one who says off-the wall things sometimes.
However, being ringless + being pregnant + looking young for my age = lots of judgmental looks from people who don't know me. I walk around in public, and people first try not to make it obvious they are staring at my tum tum (okay people, news flash: I know I look like a pear, it is okay to stare just don't touch without asking or you might get slapped). Then I see them look for the ring, and then a frown suddenly appears on their face. Hmmmmmmm.
Now, I am of the firm opinion that sex is something to be held within the confines of marriage. Let's just get that right out there - I think sex is a wonderful, beautiful act between a man and a woman who love each other and are bound by marriage. I'm not happy when I find out a teenage girl is pregnant, BUT I still love her. I find it interesting that so many people jump to frowning when they don't see a ring on my finger and they think I'm a teenager.
Today I went to Target and bought one of their cheapo rings that is big enough to withstand the rest of this pregnancy, hopefully.
Let's try being a little less judgmental, people...mmkay? Good grief.
As a consequence of this retained water and other poofiness due to the ingestion of much vanilla ice cream, my fingers are poofier than they were even a month ago. Typically I'm sporting 4 rings: wedding/engagement, a man-made sapphire, and a flower. About a month ago the sapphire ring broke, so it is unwearable. The flower was getting just a bit snug, so I took it off. Then about a week ago, I had to remove my wedding/engagement rings because they were getting so tight that Dahmon and I were concerned about the possibility of their having to be cut off in the delivery room once Drexel makes his arrival. Makes more sense to take the rings off now while they can still come off than to wait until they are in danger of choppage.
So I've been ringless for the last week or so. No big deal, right?
Keep in mind that I also look young for my age. Despite the fact that I'm 23, I can easily pass for 16 or 17 and in fact have caused a few jaws to drop when I've told people that um, yeah, I've been married for 4.5 years. = ) Now, in life Dahmon and I are each accustomed in our own ways to being the oddball. He's the super smart one who knows a little bit about everything and a lot about a lot of things. I'm the quirky one who says off-the wall things sometimes.
However, being ringless + being pregnant + looking young for my age = lots of judgmental looks from people who don't know me. I walk around in public, and people first try not to make it obvious they are staring at my tum tum (okay people, news flash: I know I look like a pear, it is okay to stare just don't touch without asking or you might get slapped). Then I see them look for the ring, and then a frown suddenly appears on their face. Hmmmmmmm.
Now, I am of the firm opinion that sex is something to be held within the confines of marriage. Let's just get that right out there - I think sex is a wonderful, beautiful act between a man and a woman who love each other and are bound by marriage. I'm not happy when I find out a teenage girl is pregnant, BUT I still love her. I find it interesting that so many people jump to frowning when they don't see a ring on my finger and they think I'm a teenager.
Today I went to Target and bought one of their cheapo rings that is big enough to withstand the rest of this pregnancy, hopefully.
Let's try being a little less judgmental, people...mmkay? Good grief.
Dec 31, 2011
New Year
On the cusp of a New Year, it is time to stop and reflect for a moment. At work we have talked about how we never could have predicted what 2011 would bring to World Wide Village and the people of Haiti. In my personal life, I never could have predicted what 2011 would bring either!
1) As I sit and type this, I am 6 months pregnant with Dahmon's and my first child...a boy whose name will be Drexel (haven't determined a middle name yet, though we have something that might work). A boy who has everyone very excited even though his presence was just a bit unplanned. =) A boy who has already given us a couple of scares through an "interesting" early pregnancy.
2) My brother has gotten married to a lovely young lady named Serena in a beautiful ceremony in Palmer, Alaska.
3) We moved...again - this time to Minneapolis, a city that I never thought I would live in. Next August we will move...again (can you tell I hate moving? Fifteen years in the same place to moving every year. yesh.), this time in with Dahmon's parents until we have to move the next year for Dahmon's internship year in seminary.
4) I only have one semester left in a graduate school degree that God definitely plunked me into. Now, I'd love to plan out what this means for the next 10 years, but it is also my experience that any time we have a 5-year plan figured out, or even a 3-year plan, God brings Dahmon and I into something different than expected (latest example: Drexel).
5) A bunch of people have come into my life via professional and personal ways that I have been completely honored to know and work with on various levels (at WWV, as a part of my modeling/acting career, church, Antioch, etc).
A lot of other things have happened, but I can't list them all. God has been good (though isn't he always?), and I've had a lot of opportunities to see and experience his goodness in a lot of areas (ask me about what's been going on in Haiti). 2012 is going to be another eventful year, especially with Drexel being born in March/April, and it will be interesting. :)
1) As I sit and type this, I am 6 months pregnant with Dahmon's and my first child...a boy whose name will be Drexel (haven't determined a middle name yet, though we have something that might work). A boy who has everyone very excited even though his presence was just a bit unplanned. =) A boy who has already given us a couple of scares through an "interesting" early pregnancy.
2) My brother has gotten married to a lovely young lady named Serena in a beautiful ceremony in Palmer, Alaska.
3) We moved...again - this time to Minneapolis, a city that I never thought I would live in. Next August we will move...again (can you tell I hate moving? Fifteen years in the same place to moving every year. yesh.), this time in with Dahmon's parents until we have to move the next year for Dahmon's internship year in seminary.
4) I only have one semester left in a graduate school degree that God definitely plunked me into. Now, I'd love to plan out what this means for the next 10 years, but it is also my experience that any time we have a 5-year plan figured out, or even a 3-year plan, God brings Dahmon and I into something different than expected (latest example: Drexel).
5) A bunch of people have come into my life via professional and personal ways that I have been completely honored to know and work with on various levels (at WWV, as a part of my modeling/acting career, church, Antioch, etc).
A lot of other things have happened, but I can't list them all. God has been good (though isn't he always?), and I've had a lot of opportunities to see and experience his goodness in a lot of areas (ask me about what's been going on in Haiti). 2012 is going to be another eventful year, especially with Drexel being born in March/April, and it will be interesting. :)
Dec 27, 2011
Things they don't warn you about....
Pregnancy. The time of a couple's life that is perhaps the most filled with expectation, wonder, and nervousness. A time when a new human being is being crafted in the hidden recesses of a woman's body, blood vessels and brain stem being established with no conscious active effort on the woman's part (save, perhaps, not drinking and trying to eat more than two colors in a day).
There are, however, some things they don't warn you about pregnancy until you have joined the expectant-mama club. (Beware - this post may contain TMI, but that's okay.) For example...
1) Fuzzy tummy
They warn you about the lush hair and epically awesome fingernails. What they do not warn you about, however, is that the same hormone that means the hair on one's head becomes very nice also means so does the hair on one's...um...tummy! So, the reason a woman's hair is awesome during pregnancy is because the hormone that releases hair is diminished, on one's head and one's...tummy! Seriously, my tum tum looks like a peach.
2) Stuffy nose
Who knows that something about the hormone soup coursing through a gals body during preggo-nancy causes inflammation of the mucus linings? Not quite sure how that makes sense, but I sound like I've pretty much got a chronic cold. *achoo*
3) Sore backs
Oh sure, you do hear about the sore backs that a woman has when pregnant, but do you know that can start as soon as 10 weeks (this soreness usually due to hormonal fluctuations)? My poor back has been sore for a long time, compounded by the fact that I've got some back problems. HOWEVER, I was not expecting that to start so quickly! Now I'm at 25 weeks (close to the end of 2nd trimester and big enough that strangers are getting less shy about staring at my belly) and now my back is more sore than before.
4) Baby brain
Now, this is something you may have heard about if someone in your vicinity has been pregnant, or else you may not hear about it until you have joined the Sisterhood of the Expanding Pants. Seriously - it's like all the blood that had gone to feeding my brain has gravitated elsewhere to grow a baby. Memory? You should see the sticky notes papering my cube at work. Thought process? Give me a sec, and I'll get something figured out. Maybe two secs. :) I thank then Lord that finals this past semester consisted of essays - those I can generally do at home and are open book, a God-send to this preggo who is having a hard time remembering why in the heck I got up to get across the office?
5) Gas!
My poor hubby already grimaces when I eat cheese. Not that I'm lactose intolerant, but somehow my eating cheese has detrimental affects on bystanders who are not warned that lactose can make my intestinal tract determined to do its best to poke holes in the ozone layer (okay, I'm not that bad). Being pregnant just makes this worse!
I'm sure there is more...but I can't remember it. :) More to come later.......
There are, however, some things they don't warn you about pregnancy until you have joined the expectant-mama club. (Beware - this post may contain TMI, but that's okay.) For example...
1) Fuzzy tummy
They warn you about the lush hair and epically awesome fingernails. What they do not warn you about, however, is that the same hormone that means the hair on one's head becomes very nice also means so does the hair on one's...um...tummy! So, the reason a woman's hair is awesome during pregnancy is because the hormone that releases hair is diminished, on one's head and one's...tummy! Seriously, my tum tum looks like a peach.
2) Stuffy nose
Who knows that something about the hormone soup coursing through a gals body during preggo-nancy causes inflammation of the mucus linings? Not quite sure how that makes sense, but I sound like I've pretty much got a chronic cold. *achoo*
3) Sore backs
Oh sure, you do hear about the sore backs that a woman has when pregnant, but do you know that can start as soon as 10 weeks (this soreness usually due to hormonal fluctuations)? My poor back has been sore for a long time, compounded by the fact that I've got some back problems. HOWEVER, I was not expecting that to start so quickly! Now I'm at 25 weeks (close to the end of 2nd trimester and big enough that strangers are getting less shy about staring at my belly) and now my back is more sore than before.
4) Baby brain
Now, this is something you may have heard about if someone in your vicinity has been pregnant, or else you may not hear about it until you have joined the Sisterhood of the Expanding Pants. Seriously - it's like all the blood that had gone to feeding my brain has gravitated elsewhere to grow a baby. Memory? You should see the sticky notes papering my cube at work. Thought process? Give me a sec, and I'll get something figured out. Maybe two secs. :) I thank then Lord that finals this past semester consisted of essays - those I can generally do at home and are open book, a God-send to this preggo who is having a hard time remembering why in the heck I got up to get across the office?
5) Gas!
My poor hubby already grimaces when I eat cheese. Not that I'm lactose intolerant, but somehow my eating cheese has detrimental affects on bystanders who are not warned that lactose can make my intestinal tract determined to do its best to poke holes in the ozone layer (okay, I'm not that bad). Being pregnant just makes this worse!
I'm sure there is more...but I can't remember it. :) More to come later.......
Dec 18, 2011
Update time!
Alright, I'm horrible at updating this...sorry!!!!!!!
More pics will come later...for now they are stockpiling on my computer.
Quick update:
More pics will come later...for now they are stockpiling on my computer.
Quick update:
- I am done with the semester and Dahmon will be done tomorrow. My master's degree major project degree focus may have changed, but I still need to flesh that out (basically, I found the book I wanted to write about kids with disabilities in the Church, so now I want to do something else to avoid duplicating efforts).
- My head is now 15 inches of hair lighter - went in and got a whole bunch chopped off this afternoon. Not sure that I like the resulting 'do yet, but we'll see. =)
- Drexel is doing well - moving and kicking up a storm. Though I do find it amusing that Drexel is pretty active until Dahmon is around. Dahmon is apparently very soothing to our son, as Rex calms down and stops moving around as much when Dahmon is present. I know who the baby whisperer is between us with this particular child (provided this pattern holds out). Rex also seems to know when I haven't eaten for awhile, as he will move around and not calm down until I'm full. =) I'm starting to feel him kicking up by my bellybutton, and am not terribly fond of his habit of shoving his foot in places and then leaving it there...that starts to hurt after awhile.
- Drexel is registered at Target, for inquiring minds that want to know.
Ummmmmmm, I think that is it for now. I'll be posting some of my papers from this past semester once I've gotten grades back.
More regular posts to follow, hopefully. =)
Dec 2, 2011
Progression of tummy so far - Currently week 21
Here is a pictographic progression of my tummy so far (yes, this blog is overrun with pregnancy stuff....so is my brain - deal with it):
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| Week 10 |
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| Week 11 |
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| Week 12 |
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| Week 13 |
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| Week 14 |
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| Week 15 |
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| Week 16 |
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| Week 17 |
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| Week 18 |
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| Week 19 |
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| Week 20 |
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| Week 21 |
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