Thank You and R.I.P.

If I have ever wondered at any time if my choices in life were the right ones, this is certainly a time I am soul-searching that question more than ever before. With the recent loss of David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and the great Michael Jackson all that goes through my mind now is 'thank God they were doing what they loved most in life'.

I used to watch 'Kung Fu' with my grandmother (my lebanese 'Sitto') who LOVED that show! David Carradine is a part of my life's memories with my Sitto. My family used to watch the Johnny Carson show and Ed McMahon is part of my life's memories with my family. My first 'chicks kick ass' heroes were 'Charlies Angels' and Farrah Fawcett is part of my important memory that girls really DO rock...at such a young age. My brother, Andy Kouri, and I grew up listening to Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson. We LOVED Michael Jackson! I lost my brother in 2007. My brother shared the same birthday with Michael Jackson (August 29th) and Andy loved that. Michael Jackson was there throughout my entire life with memories that will always remind me of my brother.

Rest In Peace to all of you. You all pursued what you loved to do...and I am doing the same. Thank you for proving how important it is to 'follow your bliss'...you will be missed.

xoxo, Maggie

That's All I'm Sayin'!

"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear"
Rosa Parks

The King of Reality Shows...

So you're NOT going to believe what I did today. I had this inspired thought jump in my head...poof..."send Ryan Seacrest your blog link since he's the king of reality shows!" So I did. How awesome would it be to have a reality show called "Follow Me to Hollywood" documenting my career pursuit? Pounding the Hollywood pavement, going on auditions, meeting with my agent, the good, the bad and the ugly. Listen I don't know of one person in Hollywood that has done this and quite frankly, I think it would be very inspiring for others who are trying to do the same thing. We have to go it alone, but it's nice to know that we're NOT alone!

Hey, a girl can dream...remember?

Gotta kick booty baby!

I LOVE my Twitter! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Why? So I can follow EVERYONE ELSE who's in Hollywood, of course! One of the peeps I follow is Khloe Kardashian...mostly because I'm inspired by ethnic girls like me. We're a different species...period. We're NOT blonde hair, blue eyes, stick figures that you typically find in California. Nope, we rock the brown hair, brown eyes and curves...and killer attitude! LOL

Anyway, Khloe tweeted today that she's back in Cali and working out big time again. I, in my inifinite wisdom, tweeted her for her workout regiman...like I'd actually get a full itinerary, right? Just my luck about an hour later, Khloe tweeted workout pic's of her on her blog. I'm thrilled!!! (that's the Universe rockin' again!)

Look, this girl has to get back in her size 4 jeans and I will if it kills me! It just really helps when you know you're not alone. So now I'll take the ideas from her pic's and apply them to my workout. :) Looks like strength training, boxing and yoga. Thanks Khloe...you little ROCK STAR! xoxo, Maggie

Could it be this week?!

Hopefully today is the day that my submissions should be landing on the desks of talent agents (alright maybe tomorrow, but a girl can hope, can't she?!). Please please please...CALL ME! :)

You know it's really important that I DON'T let my doubts and fears get in the way of my dreams...this really helps me stay focused and look past the 'crap' I put myself through sometimes. My latest 'Note from the Universe':

If you can understand, dear Maggie, that the 3 greatest obstacles between you and the life of your wildest dreams are actually imaginary, a product of your mind alone, I do believe we'll blow the wheels clear off this popsicle stand.
"Push-Ups" for everyone, The Universe

Oh Universe, how I love Thee...
xoxo, Maggie

Awwwwwwwwww...WISDOM!

I'm a new loyal follower of Tony Robbins on Twitter...thank God he's on it! Check out this fabulous tweet he sent out:

"If you limit urchoices 2what seems possible or reasonable u disconnect yourself from what you truly want&all thats left is compromise Fritz"

Flippin' brilliant! :)

And Away They Go!

So I got my headshots today, Friday, and I'm stoked!!! I sent them out to my first seven talent agencies that both Tina Real, my booking agent, and Carlos of Genesis Printing referred me to...and away they go! It cost me $22 to get these sent out...another investment in my career I guess. Look, you've got to WANT it enough to pay for it! Right?!

Cross EVERYTHING you have two of (even if it hurts) that I get contacted by one of the agencies for signing. I'll keep you posted!

The best way to finish something...is to start it!

xoxo, Maggie

Cast Me...I'm Cute!

Okay, my headshots will be here Monday...WOO-HOO!!!! Then off to all the agents...cross 'em! Once I get signed then off to Hollywood, baby! What?! In my mind it's a done deal...now all I have to do is bring it to fruition. Go ahead...doubt it...I dare ya. :)

My latest 'Note from the Universe':

As you always have, Maggie, you're going to find, yet again and forevermore, that the hard and difficult stuff only ever seemed hard and difficult, before you began it. Bet you feel better now, huh?
Begin it, The Universe

Working it Baby!

I just got off of the phone with my headshot printers, Genesis Printing in LA...Carlos ROCKS! My headshots will done in a few days...woo-hoo! Here's what they'll look like in the picture...do you likey? Carlos gave me three more agencies to hit in LA. I'm really feeling confident that I'm going to get signed by an AWESOME agent. Once I do, let the games begin!!!

Follow me to Hollywood peeps...your support means EVERYTHING to me. xoxo, Maggie

I started this blog yesterday because I really wanted to document my pursuit of my acting career. Let's face it, it may take forever...but it's necessary for me to 'follow my bliss'. With all of the social networking I do - my biz blog, facebook, facebook fan page, 2-online studios, corkin, myspace and twitter...believe me, another blog is the last thing I need! But I wanted something personal and that's why I started it.

Well, I receive a 'Note from the Universe' every morning and this is the one I got today...the timing couldn't be better and the message couldn't be more accurate! After all, I based yesterday's blog on my 'journey'.

"The baby steps in the beginning of a journey, Maggie, always seem inadequate compared to the brilliance of the dream that inspired them. This is natural. If the dream wasn't so far 'out there' and dazzling, it wouldn't be worth dreaming! Just don't be led to think that the physical ground you cover with your baby steps is all that they accomplish. Because for every mortal step you take, another cog in a giant wheel behind the curtains of time and space advances, and with it, 10,000 new possibilities.
Better than Star Trek, The Universe"

So now I'm really excited about my journey more than ever...and I'm excited to be able to look back (whether I make it or not) on my path there. xoxo, Maggie

The Journey of my Life...

I have been an actress my entire life! At four years old I wanted to be Ethel Merman (my mom loved old school movies and shows). At five years old I wanted to go to New York and perform on Broadway (I was living in Hollywood at the time). I attended Hollywood Professional School and then moved to La Jolla when I was ten years old. I belonged to Balboa Junior Theater (now San Diego Junior Theater) and especially loved the Improv group I was in... typical Gemini, gift of gab. I performed in school plays all the way through my senior year in high school, while continuing to perform with my Junior Theater group.

When high school ended, off to casting calls I went...one after another, after another. I did stage shows throughout San Diego and Los Angeles. I studied with a fabulous film coach, David Lehman and really honed my skills.

Shortly after, I went to New York (hey, it took a while to reach my goal, but I did it!). I LOVED it in New York!! A year later I found myself married with a brand new son... he became my priority in life. Two years after that I had my beautiful little daughter and she too became my priority. I continued doing small projects but ultimately, when I moved back to San Diego a few years later, I put my career pursuit on the shelf to raise my two gorgeous kids.

My kids are teens now and they are AMAZING people! I'm grateful for my decision when they were younger and don't regret it for a minute. I knew that when they were old enough, I would once again pursue my career...and here I am!

I am coming off of a long hiatus and I've never felt better or more confident. I just completed my headshots with Sandy Spear (photographer) and Susan Duttenhofer (stylist) and sent them off to print. They are definitely my new 'dream team' in San Diego! My booking agent, Tina Real, has suggested some great agents to pursue and that is my next step.

So follow me to Hollywood as I take this journey once again... and let's see how far I get. :) Your support means the world to me. xoxo, Maggie