Que Sera, Sera: Embracing the Unknown

Another year, another chapter to add to life’s story. Don’t worry, dear reader, this is not another mopey post. Quite the opposite!

Last you heard from me, I was excited to start three internships and vlog about my experience. I somehow managed to speed-run my lessons so allow me to summarize briefly:

Do not let your age – or any other defining factor, for that matter – deter you from trying “beginning”, whether that be trying a new hobby, starting a new project, or learning a new skill. That being said: know your worth and don’t blindly trust that the path you are on is the right one for you.

Ultimately, two of the three internships did not “work” for me. I could do a deep dive but much like any employer or organization, sometimes necessary processes are not in place which creates chaos or a sense of unease. Other times, workflows are perfectly articulated but do not fit your personal schedule.

The third internship has become more of an ongoing volunteer-opportunity. I am proud to be Podcast Audio Engineer and Content Production at Wonder Women Tech, “a global ecosystem that produces year-round programming, global and virtual conferences, digital content, hackathons, development workshops and career fairs that highlight, celebrate, educate and amplify women, BIPOC, and the underrepresented in STEAM industries. (Science, Technology, Engineering Arts, Math), innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Aside from that, I started a temporary, part-time contract gig with a former employer, which will run through the end of February. I am also pleased to announce I have found full-time employment as a Project Specialist at Matrix MKTG. This position will allow me to grow alongside the company and really develop the position into a custom fit based on my skillset.

While it is not directly in the Film, Media & Entertainment Industry as I had hoped to find, as an Advertising and Marketing company, we will still be creating compelling campaigns and story-driven content, without the fear of mass-layoffs should funding on a project cease.

You may get the sense that this blog post is rushed and in all honesty, it is! I have so many small projects to complete before my first employment day, not to mention the fact that I am fostering two puppies that require a lot of supervision. They will be up for adoption this week and I couldn’t be happier for them!

On another important, personal topic – I officially got engaged! Our story could be a Hallmark movie but long story short: I’ve known Andre for 17 years, we dated for 4 years, then broke up but stayed very close friends for about 10 years. Then, there was about a 3-year stint just before COVID where we lost contact but the pandemic ironically brought us closer together. We first rekindled our friendship and then rekindled our romantic partnership, dating for another year before deciding we were each other’s “the One”.

My ring is an Oval Alexandrite 2pc Sterling Silver Ring Set – the gemstone is known as “nature’s magic trick” as it is color-changing based on how the light hits it. It sometimes looks purple and sometimes looks teal, which fits my personality perfectly! Andre’s ring is black Tungsten Carbide with the Griever symbol (Squall, Final Fantasy VIII). While it is not traditional that the man receives an engagement ring, with everything we’ve gone through, it felt right that I too give him a symbol of our commitment.

No date set but it’s looking like Fall 2024 just based on logistics. We certainly aren’t going to prolong the engagement – the courtship was long enough, we think!

I don’t want my brevity to come across as me being blaze about the engagement; quite the opposite! However, I want to respect Andre’s privacy and so while I am an open book about my solo-personal life, there’s only so much of my couple-personal life I feel entitled to share. Just know that I have found a quiet peace within my soul in regards to our relationship – we are truly “ride or die”, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, ’til death do us part.

Another important update: I have reverse-branded! I am not only back to “Voice of Fairytales” (replacing “Champagne of Voiceover”) but I have expanded my brand to incorporate my decade-worth of experience, skill, and knowledge. “Favole Productions: It’s All About the Story” has four aspects: Voice Over; Entertainer; Presenter; Consultant. I love the freedom and support this new dynamic has on how I show myself as an artist.

So, what’s the takeaway?

It’s okay not to know what the future holds. That is a lesson that was hard-learned for me and I’m not quite sure I’m entirely on board; it goes against every fiber of my nature. But it’s what I need for my mental health and emotional wellbeing. “This Too Shall Pass” has always been my mantra for difficult times. Now I need to allow it to be my mantra for the good times, too, and really focus on the present.

• I have found a promising career with an employer that is expanding right alongside it.
• I have implemented steps to keep myself relevant within the voiceover industry and Atlanta community specifically.
• I have three audiobooks lined up for narration to continue my work!

I still have a lot to do, such as update my VO CV and Rate Card, but I truly feel I have started a new chapter. One that has the potential for so much. But at the same time, I do not want to attach any expectations. Que Sera, Sera – What will be, will be.