Lots to be excited about...

Being an actor in Portland has been going well for me so far. I've been in a total of 3 plays since I have been here in the last 6 months. I think that's pretty dang good. I've also gotten paid for all of them which really makes me feel like a real professional.

Most recently I went to the general Portland Area Theatre Alliance auditions. It's really just a cattle call audition where tons of actors show up to give monologues, sing, and dance for a bunch of different representatives from different theatre companies. I guess we're all hoping to be "discovered" or get tons of calls and such. Really, I think it just helps you to get seen more by people. It's a chance to say, "Hey! My name is Meredith Ott and I am an actor here". Either way I've been using this headshot to represent myself at these auditions and it hasn't done me too bad so far. I've got an audition this weekend and got to do an on-camera audition for Lana Veenker Casting Agency (yeah, they cast for Twilight and Leverage). So who knows. I really know nothing about this crazy film industry but it is not like me not to try anything at least once so here goes.

ALSO, I am super excited to be going to Africa soon! The town I am going to is called Bungoma, Kenya. It even has a pretty swanky little town website if you click on the town name. My friend Dave is going there to help out with Construction for Change there as a project foreman so I will be visiting him. He updates his blog with cool pictures and stories about his time in Bungoma here. Bungoma is located several hours away from Nairobi close to the border of Uganda.

Kenya is in East Africa right under Ethiopia and Somalia which are on the horn
(don't worry, I won't be going anywhere up there).

Kenya also happens to be 11 hours ahead of Portland so I'm sure that will be a big adjustment. I've downloaded Skype to my computer and tested it out and everything so hopefully if I get on that later at night I can talk to people back here in the states as they get up in the morning.

I will only be in Africa for just over 2 weeks but before I go to Africa.... I go to NEW YORK CITY!
This is exciting for a few reasons too.

Reason #1: I get to see a Behanding in Spokane starring this guy!!!!!
Reason #2: I get to hang out with friends like...

Katey Nelson, everyone.

Reason #3: I get to spend time with my dear brother Tim and Wendy. And I'm not really supposed to tell so if you read this you might have to keep your mouth shut but I am also visiting my soon to be nephew or niece. (They are going to be so spoiled) I already think that they are beautiful and this is what they look like.

Pressure's off me to extend the family name now, thanks Tim! Beautiful baby Ott. I can't wait.

So much to be excited about. So much.