The Longest Summer Ever

Having a family is a wonderful thing. The spouse, the kids, the dog. It's the American dream. This summer my family moved from Burbank to West Los Angeles. While we loved Burbank, my hubby had an hour and 20 minute commute to work in Century City twice a day. Moving was the best solution to retrieving those 20 plus hours he was spending on the road each week.

Burbank schools were dismissed for the summer in May. So, the very next week we moved to our new neighborhood in West LA and were now in LAUSD. We moved into a cozy home only two doors down from the new school our sons would be attending. No sooner had we carried in our last box of belongings when were we greeted with school announcements coming from the loud speaker, and insane parents dropping off and picking up their little bratty bundles of dirt and snot, and the realization that the LAUSD kids were still in session.

What did this mean??? It meant that since our old district had released the kids in May, and this new school wasn't due to release til a month later, that I was in for the longest summer of my life!!! Of course, I thought to myself, being the super mom that I am, this will be no problem. This will be a summer full of play dates, day camps and swimming lessons. We'll meet new people, and the kids will meet new friends and it will be a great summer. Fast forward 15 weeks....SIGH, yeah right. What's that saying? "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions". Well, that's exactly where I ended up. Unpacking, painting, traveling to visit family, our dog thinking it could fly and jumping from the roof (I'll elaborate on that later in a later blog-she was completely fine), and simply trying to get our barrings in our new surroundings confiscated our entire summer and we had not one play date, not one swimming lesson, and only one week of soccer camp that I forced my kids to attend in 100 plus degree weather despite their protests. Well, maybe not exactly Hell, but you get the idea.

During all this, mind you, I still had my auditions to do at my agency. Some of them I was expected to do from home, yet with two noisy boys, that was mostly impossible. On some days I arrived at my auditions with the boys in tow because I had no one to watch them, no day camps to send them to, no play dates to pawn them off on. Once or twice my wonderful husband would watch them at his office for an hour or so, but already feeling like the worst mother in the world, I didn't want to feel like an awful wife too and ask for more. So, there the boys (who are 5 and 7) would sit with me in the lobby of my agent's office, sometimes for 2 hours or more as I waited my turn to read a few lines of script with the hopes of being chosen among hundreds of other voices and make a few bucks.

"Can we go home now???" "When is this gonna be over???" "Is it your turn yet, Mom???"

Torture. Yes, you could call it torture...for all three of us.

"Maybe tomorrow I'll record from home", I think to myself.

"CRASH". "BANG".

Squeals of laughter and screaming rip me from my revere. I duck my head out of my vocal booth and yell, "Keep it down you guys! Mommy is trying to record"! More laughter.

We are now a mere 5 days away from the first day of school and I stand in my vocal
booth trying to do an audition without noise from my boys. Realizing it's hopeless, I turn off my microphone and decide that my sons have won this battle. As I listen to their feckless laughter and clanging around, I smile. I look around, taking in our new home. We're still not done unpacking by the way. The boys bound down the stairs and greet me with hugs and guilty smiles. I can't help but be grateful. I am truly living the American dream.

A Personal Note From G.K. Bowes

Here we are! Officially launched. When first approached to write a
blog for this fabulous foundation, I immediately thought, "Who
wouldn't love a blog about being a busy wife, mom, and voice over
actress? Oh, wait...That would be just about...everybody"! Then
after some encouragement from the wonderful CEO Jennifer Davis and my
loving husband, I thought, "What the heck?".

So, I started writing. And, as the fates would have it, I enjoyed it
immensely. My fingers were possessed with a new found love for my
keyboard as I tapped out my thoughts and experiences. I began this
blog back in September, although P.I.N.K. wasn't officially launched
until Monday. However, I wanted to get a head start on capturing the
spirit of "The Voices In My Head", and I figure the best place to
start is at the beginning. Consider these first few blogs "archives",
if you will. You'll get to know me, I'll get to know you, and we'll
go from there. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading them as much as I
enjoy writing them. It is an honor to be here and to share with you.

So, without further ado, here is the first installment of "The Voices
In My Head".

The Tracks of Life- Sierra Leone

Trekking across the globe writing the 'THE TRACKS OF LIFE' one by one, Sierra Leone is known for her diamond abilities like calling the "hits" and being the go to girl for almost anything you need to know. She is on the rise to the top of this media game! Co-Founder & Co-Ceo of LOT 35 Media Group, Sierra's a revolutionary media mogul in the making . She can't stop , she won't stop. Who is she? Sierra Leone. And she's taking you on her journey as she continues to write her own soundtrack to this thing you call Life.

Ms. Sierra Leone

for ?'s or advice

askmssierraleone@thepinkfoundation.org

"You"- Raheem Devaughn

"Girllll, Every word in this song's gonna be about YOU!..." -Raheem Devaugn

I've NEVER gone a day without MUSIC. No, really. NEVER. LoL. Music has been & still is the sound of my thoughts, LIVE & DIRECT. There's been a song, lyric, beat or melody that has doubled as the soundTrack to my world & everyone in it, literally down to every moment!

Each week, I will blog about random thoughts & things, controversial topics, post interviews and so much more...all revolving around Music.

Believe in & support the mission for true sisterhood empowerment with The P.I.N.K Foundation!

Let me know what inspires YOU!!! :-)

*Send your responses via post,

email : @askmssierraleone@thepinkfoundation.org

twitter: @sierra4pink

Join me as I continue to walk...the Tracks of Life:-)

Til' next Thursday Ladies!...

Sierra Leone

Sleep on This > There's an unexplainable power in vulnerability and strength through inspiration. Stand strong and ALWAYS be YOURSELF!

'MEDICAL MAYHEM'

Leaving high school and moving onward to college and then a career culinary seemed to be the best fit for me because I was somewhat interested and had some talent in cooking. I wasn't really sure what my true calling or passion was but since I had always been encouraged to go after whatever I wanted in life I decided to put my all into into it. I succeeded in getting an Associate Arts Degree in Culinary Arts and worked in the field for five years. However, deep down I knew something was missing. I wanted more I wanted to touch lives and help people.



While building my own catering business I decided to work in a doctor's office. I worked in the office for three years doing front office work, back office work and anything and everything the Doctor asked me to do. I found deilght and pleasure whenever the task involved dealing with patients. I found true joy in working with people whether it was the slightly sick or those with severe illnesses. This is when I knew what had been missing from my life and my career all along. I needed to be able to make someone smile when they needed it most, when they were sick. I loved helping the sick and I kew that in order to do so I needed to study and get a degree in Nursing. Once I could clearly see my future and knew that nursing was my passion I began to pursue it with all my vigor. I have decided through working in the classrom and then in the clinics nothing can measure up to being a help to someone in need.

Nurse Chappell

For ?'s or advice

asknursechappell@thepinkfoundation.org

'LISTEN TO MY DEMO'

The sensual and soulful sound of Jasmine "J.Mitchell" Mitchell is penetrating through the music scene as one of the hottest and eccentric new voie of the future. With a captivating range and demanding stage presence, her voice stands uniquely on its own.

The talents of J. Mitchell have given her the ability to perform for crowds in high profile Los Angeles clubs, such as The Roxy, The Temple Bar, The Hollywood House of Blues, and Royal have all been blown away with the sweet and intricate sounds of J. Mitchell. "She inspires you to dream on the sneak tip. She is peculiar, triple take causing, space vixen au naturel, whose musci makes you tilt your head and say 'Hmmm," said Dazjea, of Purple Magazine.

J. Mitchell is inspired by all of the jazz greats including John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nina Simone, Jimi Hendrix, Shuggie Otis, Erykah Badu and J Dilla. She credits these artists with musically uprotting her creativity and enjoyment of her talent.

Using her self taught skills as a singer and songwriter, J. Mitchell has collboratd with many artist local and abroad, such as Famed Producer Exile, and Hip-hop legend Snopp Dogg. Generating buzz and radio play throughout the US as well as Europe. She has shared the stage with such acts as the Buena Vista Social Club Singer Omara Portuondo. Most recently while in Cuba, she sang at the Miramar Hotel with Cuban artist Ogguree.

J. Mitchell is currently recording her first solo project.

Ms. Melodiousfly

for ?'s or advice

askmsmelodiousfly@thepinkfoundation.org

'COLLEGE DAYZ'

I'm 18 years old and born in Los Angeles, CA. I've lived in many different cities within California. I attend The University of California, Los Angeles 'UCLA'. I have a younger brother, an older sister, and a younger sister which I lost to cancer 5 years ago. I enjoy hanging with my friends and having a good laugh. I know no one is perfect which is why I try not to be. I live by "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger."

You must stand for something because if not you'll fall for anything!

Ms. College Girl

for ?'s or advice

askmscollegegirl@thepinkfoundation.org

'VOICES IN MY HEAD'

G.K. Bowes is a wife, mother and voice over actress. She began her career as a microbiologist and molecular geneticist. After earning her degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics fro ULA, where she was also a Track and Cross Country athlete, G.K. spent a year doing research for the Food and Drug Administration. Deciding to leave the microscopes and DNA gel electrophoresis behind, G.K. was then inspired to follow her heart and pursue her passion for voice acting.

Since making that decision, G.K. has hit the ground running, booking voice over roles for animated shows, movies, and video games. She is the voice of Barbie for Mattel, as well as several voices for the new Play House Disney show, "Special Agent Oso". G.K. has also done voice over ads for commercials such as Wal-Mart, Sprint, McDonalds, Old Navy, Skechers and many more.

As a busy wife, mom of two young boys, and working actress G.K. will be blogging about balancing family, marriage, work and more with the power of persistence and staying positive while pursuing your dreams.

Mrs. G.K. Bowes

for ?'s and advice

askmrsg.k.bowes@thepinkfoundation.org

'I SWEAR I KNOW IT ALL'

Hey my name is Rella, I'm sixteen years old and a junior in high school yes baby 'Class of 2012'! I have 1 older brother and two younger sisters. He's a pain and they're cute but starting to be a bother at times. I like to hang out with friends, go to parties and just plain ole have fun. I don't like school but I have to do it. I joined the cheerleading squad this year which makes school so much more bearable. My favorite singer, rapper whatever you want to say is Trey Songz. That's basically all there is about me. I'm very outgoing and I love my life. LOL!

Ms. Rella

for ?'s or advice

askmsrella@thepinkfoundation.org