Gaining Perspective
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Gaining Perspective

Gaining Perspective

It’s still settling in that my 6-year-old and I spent two months in Los Angeles, came home for a week and a half, then went right back. After a successful two and a half years of acting and modeling, Ella’s journey led her — and me as momager — to Hollywood, where things progressed quickly to another level.

After signing with a manager and agents in LA at the end of 2018, we decided to spend most of pilot season in the land of entertainment opportunity. Pilot season is a heightened time of casting for new shows.

And wouldn't you know this tiny actress booked a series regular role on a pilot for ABC and Sony Pictures Television. Stay tuned until next magazine (or Ella's Instagram @adventuresofellagrace) to see what happens next! You also can soon look for Ella in commercials for Marriott.

I was blessed to be able to juggle life as Ella’s momager with being able to work remotely as this magazine’s editor. I also gained perspective by leaving what is familiar.

Traffic. I conquered the No. 1 thing I was worried about — driving in LA. We miraculously were able to travel opposite the worst traffic and mostly navigated to stay off highways.

Two major realizations about here vs. LA:

  1. Even if stuck in LA traffic, it moves, and you have pretty stuff to look at. Gorgeous mountains (that are lush green now, thanks to abundant winter rains), nice houses or cityscapes. We also were fortunate to drive on the Pacific Coast Highway and see the ocean and Santa Monica Pier. The first time Ella saw that juxtaposition of ocean and mountains, she said, “I want to move here!” FL is flat. I get it, kid.
  2. On a drive with Ella to the west coast of FL a few days after returning home, we passed three major crashes and felt vulnerable due to the high speeds of so many drivers. In SoCal, going the speed limit is a luxury.

Cost of living. Gas is at least $1, sometimes $2, more per gallon in CA. Water bills will blow your mind. Taxes there are SO much higher, and housing prices… not sure there’s any way for a middle class Floridian to relocate there if you want to own a home. We Brevardians have it good.

Smart shopping. CA charges for shopping bags the store provides, so most everyone brings reusable bags. How come this is not yet a way of life EVERYWHERE?

Mosquitos. The second night we were back in FL, Ella got eight mosquito bites. And the poor thing reacts with mega welts. Those blood suckers jumped to No.1 on my list of things I don’t like about FL, ahead of hurricanes.

Routine. After two months in a new flow, I came home having forgotten our garbage days and even what time I need to drop Ella to school.

We experienced the end of CA’s drought — the first time in about eight years the state is drought free. We did not expect rain, but the drenched month of February set records. The outcome was the green landscape that Ella and I hiked. When not driving to auditions or working, we played tourists or hiked trails. We saw the ocean from atop mountains and gained a stunning new perspective.

IG: @adventuresofellagrace

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Read more articles in our DIGITAL MAGAZINE.

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