news lately
Just thought I’d drop a little update here. Bug’s anxiety has ebbed and flowed. We’ve started a reward system. When she can get through a day without going to the office with an anxiety-related stomach ache she gets to go out for Pinkberry after school. No, this is not sponsored. I wish it was.
We love Pinkberry. The yogurt is not too sweet and it’s a super cool air-conditioned place to sit and chill while we listen to groovy dance music. Sometimes we take friends from school. Some weeks we go almost every day and that gets expensive. Other weeks we barely make it once so it evens out. But I’d gladly pay ten times over if I could just cure her anxiety. It’s so hard watching her go through this. I’m coming to the conclusion that there is no magic answer. It’s just going to take time and constant reassurance. My heart goes out to all of you who suffer from this. It’s so hard for me to understand but every day I see how very real it is. It’s not something you can just shake with a positive attitude. I really appreciate your prayers and kind emails. It helps. Thank you.
In business news:
I had an interview with The Bright Agency a while back. I got all dressed up and went to this schmoozy downtown Hollywood private club and of all things I got to meet with the founder of the company! I didn’t expect it at all and of course was a ball of nerves. Heels and heavy wool dresses and I don’t always do so well under pressure but I’m happy to say that in spite of myself they accepted me and I have a real agent!!! Wooo! Hooo!
I don’t know exactly what this means, to be represented by an agency, but I do know I’m in good company. I can barely believe I’m in the same list as some of these amazing illustrators. They blow me away. I have a long way to go though and the agency is challenging me to push my work further. Anyone want to give me waccom tablet lessons? I’m still drawing with my mouse and I think it’s holding me back. They want to see more depth and detail…so that’s where I’m going. It’s very exciting and scary!
In sad news: Bethany and her family are officially gone from Southern California on their way to Japan via Omaha, Nebraska for a quick visit. We went to a little beach party for Annalie last week. It was so sweet. Bug and Annalie had a little ceremony of sorts. Sand sisters with handprints in the sand or something like that. I wasn’t invited but I witnessed it from the sidelines. I’m so thankful for the internet because I know even though they will be on the other side of the world we will stay friends forever.
All for now! I have to rush off to school pick up. :) I think Bug is perking on another fashion post so stay tuned for that!
6 Comments
Yara
I love the Pinkberry reward system. I mean, the diabetes makes me *slightly* jealous every time I see the deliciousness… and then, I know it’s because of the anxiety, which is no fun for anyone… I hope you guys end up going so often, it stops being necessary. But I know reaching that may take quite a while.
Lorelei has abdominal migraines, and anxiety/stress probably contribute. Makes me glad we can do a lot of staying home and she can ease into social situations that stress her out. Also, she seems to be s-l-o-w-l-y growing out of it, or being able to control it better. I don’t even know. But we’ve had less and less episodes.
Congrats on getting an agent!
And yay for internet, because, what do you mean Bethany isn’t here? I just saw her on Facebook :-)
Julia
You are such a good mom. I suffer from anxiety (like you said, it ebbs and flows) and it feels so good to see how you are working with Bug. You’re absolutely right – you can’t just fix it with a good attitude, as much as we all wish we could.
Congrats on an agent! I’ve been reading your blog for years and I’m so happy to see you settling into your happy groove.
-Julia (jdlevrec on Insta :) )
gorillabuns
I am so proud of you! Such great news!
Anxiety is such a tricky bug. Celia battles with it daily since she was diagnosed in 2010. Dancing (Ballet) has really helped and we do the systematic approach to her fears and anxiety. Half of the issue is having informed personnel that know and care that she is having episodes. Message me anytime if you want to talk about it.
I come from a family who are massively Generally Anxious.
Tamia
Ohhh you will LOVE the tablet!!! Its so much easier and natural to draw with. Its very easy, just get the small one to start and hook it up, you’ll be drawing and loving it right away!!!!
Heather
I’m so glad to hear good news from your corner of the world! Congratulations to you and Bug.
BeachMama
If only we had Pinkberry, I would find a way to reward myself too!! On a serious note though, it is good that you have created a reward system for her, something for her to work towards each day.
I love that you are partnering with an agency, hopefully it will bring you lots of work and that you enjoy it. I still struggle with my Wacom, like you I find the mouse/track pad easier to edit with, others think I am crazy, when I am not in a rush I practice on the Wacom but it truly takes me longer and frustrates me more.
Glad you had a going away party for Bethany and the girls, if we get some updates from Japan it won’t seem like she is that far away!!