The Hump Day Update: Birthday Month Edition

Where has the time gone? Spring is springing by way too fast for me. I finished my pilot script mid-April and then quickly dove into other adventures. First up, WonderCon!

Another weekend spent in nerd heaven. Devoted post about that coming later, because there's just too much to say...

Then, two delicious acting jobs. First, Nurse Ruth stopped by the season finale of Grey's Anatomy opposite the oh so phenomenal Sandra Oh--

So thrilled to work with Sandra before she leaves the show after 10 incredible seasons as Dr. Cristina Yang. I wept like a baby watching her shoot her last scene with Ellen Pompeo. Powerful stuff - tune in tomorrow night for the season finale!

Then shot a small role on the upcoming new FX comedy Married starring Nat Faxon and Judy Greer. Gushed to Nat about how much I adored The Way, Way Back, after which I sat awkwardly staring at the wall because I didn't know what else to say.

I played the wife of a recognizable TV/film star who I can't show you just yet. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram to get the full picture when the show airs!

And then, the event I've been busting my ass planning and promoting for months - Lights, Camera, WriteGirl! - a benefit evening to support the innovative creative writing, mentoring, and college guidance programs of WriteGirl. This was me all night - a blur of activity --

The event was a resounding success - brilliant writing by teen girls brought to life by celebrity actors, epic silent auction, food by my friends at Castle's Catering, and a photo booth by my friends at Lucky Laughter Photo Booth.

And then, the very next week, I was promptly laid off by WriteGirl. Sigh. Teresa has left the building...

Onward and upward! Next up, the annual East West Players Visionary Awards Dinner! I've volunteered for this event eleven times. I don't get starstruck at all anymore - now it's just a chance to catch up with friends. I didn't even snap any pics - this one's from my fellow volunteer Ruffy --

(Yeah, I wore the same dress to both events...)

The start of May brought the start of staffing season for my TV writing career. I signed with new literary managers, had a few general meetings, and had one showrunner meeting that has my fingers permanently crossed. I also started (late) writing a spec for the fellowship programs --

In between writing, I spent three days shooting a USC grad student film with a talented director I've worked with before. Proof that if you're a kind, joyful, creative, and acknowledging leader, you'll inspire dozens of actors and crew to work overnight in Long Beach and leave with smiles on their faces --

Just enough energy after the first day to stop by Free Comic Book Day at my local shop Dreamworld Comics --

And then...the birthday activities began! My brother, the Junk Food Guy, arrived for a long weekend of eating, dining, and noshing.

In three days, we visited Roy Choi's new restaurant POT in Koreatown, Take a Bao in Studio City, Bay Cities in Santa Monica, and Furaibo on Sawtelle. And of course, every east coaster's dream, In-n-Out Burger. Seoul Sausage would have also been on the list had they not closed early. I also introduced him to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - how can they not have this on the east coast?

In true Teresa fashion, I started my birthday weekend by giving back - donated a sack of groceries for the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive --

Then I threw a party! I received the best birthday gift imaginable - a home filled with friends, laughter, and cake --

Next up, another storytelling event tomorrow night --

And hopefully a return to semi-regular blogging along with more writing, writing, writing...

The Hump Day Update: Spring Awakening Edition

I have emerged from the ashes...with a pilot script!

Yes, dear readers, that's where I've been these past months. Writing, writing, writing - head down so I couldn't see all the good television and fun I was missing, focused on completing a new original pilot script in time for staffing season.

And I did it! It's done. Which means it's time to share all the things I did manage to squeeze in between my writing sprints these past two months...

In the midst of writing, I shot a vanity video for my agents at The Writers Junction - can't wait to see how it turned out!

Produced a friend's short film, with serious performances from these guys --

That may or may not have involved jumping into a pool fully clothed --

In the middle of the day, I had perhaps the most exciting celebrity sighting of my entire life - KITT!

I shot a few more episodes of Grey's Anatomy, helping to save fake patients like this sweet guy --

Had a handful of auditions at which I ran into lovely ladies like this one --

I attended writing group meetings --

Reading events --

And volunteered, of course. Presentations and events for Break the Cycle --

And WriteGirl --

Including a workshop at the Japanese American National Museum, where I found a profile on Mitsuye Endo, who I portrayed for years in Theatre Espresso shows. Me and Mitsuye --

Finally, nerdiness! Attended two PaleyFest panels, filled with ethnic talent --

And saw Eric Kripke, creator of Supernatural, speak at the Nerdist studio at Meltdown Comics--

The store was filled with comic goodies galore --

Finally, I threw a Pi Day dinner on 3/14, because I'm a nerd who loves pie. I made this banner of pi to over 3,000 digits to decorate my place --

Wow, I've been busy!

Back to writing...

The Secret is Out!

At long last, I can reveal what the heck I've been doing for the past month...

You all know I started volunteering for WriteGirl, a creative writing and mentoring organization, more than a year ago. You've seen me blog about them on several occasions.


I love this nonprofit so much. It changes the lives of over 350 teen girls in Los Angeles each year and it inspires me to no end. WriteGirl is where creativity expands and transforms exponentially with every written word.

And now they're quite appropriately being honored with the 2013 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award - the highest honor in the nation for programs of this kind.

How high? Three words - the White House. Four more words - First Lady Michelle Obama.



This is happening today, people. Watch the ceremony via live stream at 11am PST / 2pm EST at http://whitehouse.gov/live

I've been working part-time doing PR for this whole shebang - sending press releases, organizing interviews, and sending hundreds of emails. It's been overwhelming at times, but now that I'm here in DC, just hours away from the big event, it all feels worth it.

No, I don't get to meet Michelle Obama myself - just our Executive Director and one teen girl we serve are attending the official ceremony - but I'll be one degree of separation from the First Lady after tomorrow. It's like we're sisters...



How can you join in on the fun?

1. Watch the live stream of the ceremony!
2. Tell any journalist friends about this - WriteGirl is the only awardee in California - like I said, it's a big deal!
3. Make a donation and support their amazing programs for teen girls
4. Mark your calendars - we're having a celebration / fundraiser on December 12 (12/12!) at 7pm at Aventine in Hollywood. Tix are only $30, plus you get to see me in a party dress!
5. Buy me a drink when I get back to LA - I'm going to need it!
   

Retreating and Reviewing

Today was more productive than yesterday, but not by much!

I awoke early to read a short film script in preparation for an afternoon student film audition. The script was based on Sherwood Anderson's painfully beautiful short story "The Triumph of the Egg," written in 1921. A classic, moving portrait of desperation and the American dream - read it for yourself!

Then it was off to the annual WriteGirl volunteer retreat! Held at the GRAMMY Recording Academy in Santa Monica. Such a cool building --



Grabbed a brand new journal from a table full of generously donated journals - thank you Paper Blanks and Leuchtturm1917!



Our fearless leader Keren Taylor getting volunteers ready for a new season of mentoring teen girls through creative writing!





Lunch was the best potluck spread ever. Better than any Las Vegas buffet I've ever seen!









Remember those posterboards I bought last night? I used them to make this display to recruit volunteers to the Public Relations team --



Though the In-Schools team leader had me beat with her Mr. T sign --



Ended the retreat with a professional development panel of accomplished women writers and agents --



I love being a volunteer for this inspirational and impactful nonprofit!

My afternoon audition got postponed due to filmmaker illness, so I headed over to the Writers Junction for the rest of the night. Snagged one of the private writing rooms --



And hunkered down for some writing time, baby! I reviewed all my random notes on my pilot idea and started pulling them together into a series proposal. Aiming to finish by tomorrow night in time to send out for writers group!

Ended the night with a little transcription work on my sci-fi novel. Feeling good about tomorrow - a whole day free to just write! We'll see how it goes...

The Hump Day Update - Fall Fling Edition

How is it September already? Where did the summer go? Here's what I've been up to as the seasons change --

• Been pitching a new one-hour drama project around town - different from the one in my last Hump Day Update. Also can't talk about it, but here's a hint --

• Plan B, a short film I produced for director John Lopez, screened at the Burbank Film Festival. Had a great time at the after party listening to the Tim Russ Band. (Yeah, Tuvok from Star Trek: Voyager). Next up for Plan B is the Ojai Film Festival and the San Diego Asian Film Festival!

• Played a doctor (what else?) in a USC student film opposite the lovely and talented Pamela Marie Hobby, who I met on the Photographs of Your Junk shoot. The fake belly button on her baby bump was cleverly achieved with a piece of tape.

• Fall television auditions have resumed! As has getting in shape for Early Retirement - more news on that soon!

• Kicking off another year volunteering with Break the Cycle and WriteGirl. If you're a teacher, administrator, etc. in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas or New Mexico, you can get the new Start Talking toolkit for FREE to educate youth about dating abuse.

Also, check out the profile on my volunteer work with WriteGirl in Los Angeles Magazine!

• Went on a writers retreat to Lake Arrowhead at a 3-story cabin I found on Airbnb. Ah, fresh air and creativity.

Here's a tip - when renting a cabin for the weekend with six other people, don't forget to bring salt and pepper, extra paper towels, and fresh dish sponges - especially if you're grossed out by old ones!

Looking forward to a fun and fulfilling fall!