Today, I auditioned.

     It’s been a fulfilling week with auditions, friends, my birthday, and fun. Since moving here, I have been able to achieve things that I could only imagine. This just pushes me even harder to be better. Not just with my crafts, but in life.

     To start off, I had my first ever audition for a paying gig in California. It was singing. So I convinced Panda to audition with me. Now, vocally, I’m not the strongest singer. I’m still learning on trying to make my voice sound more mature and have the sound emote to the audience. Neither of which I would call close to perfect; I’d say it’s almost elementary. Anyway, the moment I walked into the audition room, this sassy African-American woman looked at me:

Judge: You’re Cruz…right?

Asian: Umm…yes ma’am?

Judge: Haven’t you already auditioned for me before?

Asian: Uh, no, ma’am. I just moved here…

Judge: Oh…ok! Then just sign-in and take a seat please.

     Then we started. The first girl was tap dancer. In my head, I was thinking to myself, Why the heck didn’t I audition as a dancer?! I’m gonna FAIL this singing audition. Then I listened to the other singing auditions… Let’s just say that my confidence was boosted exponentially. Then Panda turned to me and whispered:

Panda: You should just audition by yourself.

Asian: Really? Should I?

Panda: Yeah, it’d be better!

     I didn’t really put up a fight. So I agreed and decided to sing solo. This then raised my nerves exponentially as well. There was so much running through my mind with making sure I knew the lyrics (since I memorized it 4 hours before), how I was going to show and make her feel my stage presence, etc. Then she called me up. I just remember going up nervous. She was already smiling as I was getting my music and self set up. I’d like to think that my polite attitude wooed her. Then when I sang my song, What a Wonderful World, her smile showed some teeth!

Judge: That was nice. And very beautiful. You have a lovely voice.

Asian: Oh, thank you so much ma’am!

Judge. You’re welcome. Now, just email me your headshot and I also want to talk to you also about September 8^th.

     For me, this was an honor! Because this event I auditioned for was scheduled for September 29^th; she wants me to do another gig! Now, keep in mind, I gave her a physical headshot and resumé. She just wanted it emailed as well. But after that, I’d like to think I booked my first paying job in something I love to do for fun! I just have to wait to hear back from her. Oh the pain of auditions… But, Panda treated me to our favorite boba place, Boba Time, for a well-deserved Oreo Shake with boba (my favorite) for doing my first audition.

Terrified. I was absolutely terrified.