KoalaStar Rising:

I’m dead tired because I’ve basically been working non-stop since I got back from San Francisco on Monday morning (at 3am!). I was asked back to ER to do some more body double work for Neela (the Indian doctor on the show). I worked fourteen hours on Monday, twelve and-a-half hours today and I work tomorrow (and probably Thursday and Friday as well). I’ve been having a blast on set, but I will go into more detail about that when I’m not about to pass out. I have to be up at about 4am every day, so I try to go to bed no later than 9pm every night (I feel like I’m ten again, heh).

Anyways, the reason for this quick update is because I wanted to show you all some recent photos from a couple of shoots I did a few weeks ago. Let me know which one(s) you like the best/what you think of them!

Note: As you will see, these were all taken before I got my fabulous cut/color.

How is everyone doing? What’s new?

I thought it was high-time for a change, so I went and got my hair did. I got a new summer cut, and I got it colored. I am absolutely in love with it! In fact, this is the first time that a hairdresser has been able to dye my hair the exact color that I wanted! Here are some photos so you can get an idea of what my new ‘do looks like!

I’m sorry I look like such crap in this photo. It was late and I’m sans-makeup.

I bet you are all wondering what is in my friend Sara’s (and my) mouth. We got these hilarious candy grills from Urban Outfitters, so we knew that it was absolutely necessarily to take some awesome photos with them!

I hope you all have a great weekend. I gotta go pack for SF now (having a girls weekend out with Sara, woot!). Loves to all!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of shopping at my good friend Kathy Bailey’s new store, Encore Nouveau Boutique, in Sunland, CA (right outside Los Angeles). I couldn’t believe how many amazing things she had there (and at such incredible prices!). I must’ve walked out of there with at least seven new outfits (all top name brands) and I spent next to nothing. Her partner, Sharon Johnston, designs some of the most beautiful jewlerey that I have ever seen and it, too, can be purchased at Encore Nouveau.

I think one of the nicest things about this boutique is that Kathy and Sharon both make the customer feel so welcomed and both personally make a point to help pick out the perfect outfits and accessories for each person who walks in their door.

If you are a fashionista like me who is always looking for the newest styles at amazing prices, or you’re someone who wants to spruce up your wardrobe, Encore Nouveau Boutique is the place for you! I can’t rave enough about this new gem!

***YAY! I CAN UPDATE MY SITE AGAIN! Some of you were probably wondering why I haven’t updated in so long. Well, for some reason I wasn’t able to update my blog on here, but now apparently I can again. So, I have a lot to update on, so sorry if some of these blogs seem like they are from a long time ago!***

On March 30th, Marc and I had the pleasure of attending the last game of the pre-season for the Boston Red Sox at Dodgers Stadium. We had really good seats behind home plate, but our friend Lisa had even better seats three rows behind Home Plate in the “VIP” section. And, she happened to have extra tickets so of course we joined her!

I had so much fun! Alas, the BoSox were killed by the Dodgers, but I didn’t really mind because I like the Dodgers, and the BoSox beat the Dodgers the day before at the Colosseum (the Dodgers first played there when they moved to Los Angeles and USC’s Football team currently plays there). Apparently, a record number of people attended too (something like 115,000 people or something).

I am so stoked for the baseball season to be officially under way. LET’S GO BOSOX!

Marc n’ me before heading to Dodgers Stadium

Our awesome VIP seats three rows back from Home Plate!

Here I am with Lisa rockin’ our BoSox Gear

Laxin’ in the VIP Lounge at Dodgers Stadium

*KISS*

So much has been going on that I’ve barely had any time to update at all! Thanks to my good friend Dani, I now have new commercial and theatrical representation with this awesome agency called Stage 9 Talent. My wonderful agents are Carol Weiss and Blossom Wagner. I’ve already been sent out on two commercial auditions which were both tons of fun so I hope I hear something back soon. I also have plans to meet with my favorite photographer and friend, Joe Lambie, to shoot some more stuff so I can update my portfolio.

Other than that, I’ve just been super busy working at Islands. I love it over there and everyone is super cool and laid back. I was even able to request Easter weekend off which was awesome.

Marc and I spent Easter weekend visiting his parents and grandparents up in the Sacramento area and that was great fun. It was a very short vacation, but I think any type of vacation is better than no vacation, so I’m not complaining one bit .

How is everyone else doing? I hope all is well! I will be sure to keep everyone updated on how things develop with Stage 9 and with Islands (I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I get promoted soon ).

Until next time, cheers!

P.S. I couldn’t resist posting this adorable photo of Sushi Kun on Sir Calrton’s throne. It seems that my lil’ Kun Kun likes the throne a lot more than the prince (Sir Carl) himself! Go figure

Sushi Kun better watch out. It looks like they might be on to him!

If you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about, you should check out Sushi Kun’s MySpace which can be located here (yes, my dog has a MySpace, so sue me ).

It’s super late right now and I’m having trouble sleeping so I thought I’d blog about Sushi. I found the image and it reminded me of him (and of Sir Carlton).

So, I finally have some time to show you guys pics of my new ‘do (thanks to the lovely hair and makeup dept. on ER).

I had so much fun working on set! I showed up around 7:30 am and they first took me to wardrobe where I was given teeny tiny booty shorts and a very small strapless bra (picture two pasties sewn together, heh). Thankfully they gave me a really comfy robe so I didn’t have to walk around set half-naked all day (and mind you, it is freezing in Burbank that early in the morning). Then, I went and changed and headed over to the hair and makeup trailer.

I had my makeup done first. Since Ms. Nagra is a couple of shades darker than me, they literally had to paint me to match her skin tone. It was so cool. The makeup dried instantly and I was told it was waterproof too (which was a must since the scene that I was body doubling for was going to be shot in the rain–with a rain machine of course. I don’t think anyone would want makeup dripping off of me while that happened). I felt like I got an instant tan, and I loved the way the makeup made my skin look. I can’t, for the life of me, remember what the makeup was called, but it began with a V. The makeup artist also had to cover up all my tattoos and I had to take out all my piercings. It was so weird to look at my stomach without my navel ring in it because I have never taken it out before and I’ve had it for nearly 10 years! They also had to take off my pretty new pedicure since I had really dark polish on my toes and Ms. Nagra had a silver-blue color on hers. They sent someone out to go and buy the same exact color which was then applied to my toes about an hour later (pretty color, just not my style).

After my makeup was done, I had my hair done. I was told to come in with it damp and up in a bun so that’s what I did. My hair dresser proceeded to curl my hair to look just like Ms. Nagra’s (and to look the way it would after getting wet in the rain). I loved the outcome so much that I want to go buy a curling iron now!

It took until about 9/9:30 to finish everything and then I was taken in a van over to the set where I got to meet a ton of the regulars on ER and a bunch of the regular background characters as well. I don’t want to give anything away about the plot of the episode, so you’ll just have to wait and see it when it comes out supposedly in April. It’s the next new ER episode to air, I think. Let’s just say I had a blast and I can’t wait to work on set again!

So, without further to do, here are two badly shot camera pics of my hair.

The first one was taken right after my hair was cut so it looks a little flat (sorry I look like such a mess, but I was completely sans-makeup and soooo tired).

The second one was taken after being on set all day, so again, I apologize for looking like a mess. I love how my hair looks curly though

So, there you have it. I think a friend of mine at Islands who is currently going through cosmetology school is going to dye my hair a lighter brown in the next couple of weeks (FOR FREE ) so I will be sure to post pics when I have them.

I hope everyone is doing well! I have lots to do today so I’ll catch ya’ll later.

I have been super sick in bed all day today (I even had to call out of work which sucked because I know I would’ve made a ton of tips tonight if I went in). I know I promised pictures of my new ‘do and I will post them, but I just had to let you all know about this amazing anime.

Paprika is quite possibly one of the most original and creative animes I’ve seen in a long time. If you’re a fan of anime (and espically of director Satoshi Kon who did Perfect Blue and Tokyo Godfathers) you have got to see this. It literally blew my mind. Even if you aren’t a fan, I recommend it because the animation is so beautiful and well done.

So yeah. That’s all for now. GO SEE IT!!! (or rent it on iTunes like I did )

Last week I got a call from someone at Central Casting asking if I was free to go in for an interview at Warner Bros. Studios to play Parminder Nagra’s body double on an episode of ER (she plays Dr. Neela Rasgotra, and I first had the pleasure of seeing her in Bend It Like Beckham, which was awesome). I was pretty excited about receiving the call, but after not hearing anything for a couple of days, I kind of forgot about it. Then, on Tuesday, I got a call again from Central Casting asking if I was available on Thursday and Monday to shoot. Of course I said yes! The lady said she would talk to the casting director and get right back to me. Again, I heard nothing so I assumed they found someone else.

This morning I got another call asking if I could come into Warner Bros. ASAP for an interview so everyone could see whether I would be a good match for Ms. Nagra. Before I knew it I was being whisked away to the hair and makeup trailer to have my hair cut to look just like Ms. Nagra’s, and soon after that I was picked to be her body double (my hair looks so cute now, btw)!!! I start shooting tomorrow at 7:30am and then there is a good possibility that I shoot Monday as well. I’m hoping if Ms. Nagra ever needs a body double in the future, I will be asked again.

And you want to know the best part about all of this? I’M GETTING SAG! Sooooo, no more of the “possibly SAG eligible” B.S. I will be SAG come the end of Monday

I’ve never been to the Warner Bros. Studios before, so I was shocked to see how massive they are (hell, the closest I’ve come to seeing the studios is on the show Animaniacs ). Warner Bros. is located in Burbank, so I just hopped on the 405 N to the 101 to the 134. It took no time at all. Once I got to the WB, everyone was so helpful with showing me around and showing me what I needed to do. Now, I’m back home, still recovering from all the excitement. I don’t think any of you realize how freaking stoked I am for this!

I will be sure to do a recap of my days on set after I’m finished shooting.

P.S. John Stamos is still smokin’ hot

Makes Esther a very busy girl! As some of you know, I got a job at this awesome tiki-styled burger joint called Islands about two weeks ago. I’m a hostess right now, but I’m hoping to eventually move up to bartender since that is where I have the most experience (I got my liquor license at 18 in Boston).

I’ve basically been working non-stop since I started my training last Wednesday and for the most part it’s been going great (luckily I had Valentine’s Day off). For someone who is only used to working on sets and in front of the camera, being a hostess is very different. I love all my co-workers and my managers are super cool. I just hope I’m able to find some time to relax throughout all of this because boy, it sure can be tiring! Sorry I haven’t been keeping up to date with all my lovely friends. I’m hoping to get better about updating this blog once things start to settle down.

I just haven’t had time for anything even though I wish I did! I haven’t been able to volunteer at my local no-kill animal shelter since last Tuesday and that makes me one sad panda :-(. I’m hoping that before work tomorrow, I can swing by and see how all the lil’ pups and kitties are doing (and maybe even walk a couple of ‘em).

My Valentine’s Day was absolutely amazing. I don’t really feel the need to go into detail here, but it deff. blew all other V-Days out of the water! I hope you all had a good Valentine’s Day as well, and I hope you all are going to have a wonderful weekend. I’m not working, so I will be relaxing and catching up on what everyone has been up to.

The fat-heads are back with us now, and I couldn’t be happier. They are fluffier then ever, and rambos as usual. I’ll try to post some pictures of them at some point so you all can see what they look like. I think the cold weather at Marc’s parents house made them grow two extra coats or something.

Well, that’s it for now. I gotta rush to get ready for work so I’m not late!