Jeanette-isms Archive

My foray into stand-up

– February 2, 2012Posted in: Jeanette-isms, The Biz, The Greatest

I have always always ALWAYS been a lover of good comedy. Dane Cook, Mitch Hedburg, Russell Peters, Demitri Martin, Chris Rock, Pablo Francisco, and Jim Gaffigan are just a few of my rockstars. I had my favorite bits from each of them that I could literally recite verbatim…Dane Cook’s “Chicken Sangwich story,” Mitch Hedburg’s line about flyers being given out in New York, Russell Peter’s “Indian customer-Chinese salesman” joke, Chris Rock’s “bad phone-sex” rendition, Pablo Francisco’s “Spanish girlfriend” story, Jim Gaffigan’s “robe” joke..and of course, “hot pocket” joke. And since peering into NYC’s own local comedy culture, I also quickly came to respect Wil Sylvince, Godfrey, Eliot Chang, and Kevin McCaffrey.

Now, enter another factor into this equation. People have always told me that I am funny. Some people have even gone so far as to say that I should do comedy. So, for the average person, this would elicit something to the tune of a “psssshhh!” in response and the notion would soon evaporate from their mind. For me, however, this often offhand comment excited me. Part of me wanted to believe that it was true! Part of me would have loved to possess just an iota of this comic genius I had come to so admire. But alas, standup was always fear’s reach away from me. I didn’t spend too much time brooding over it, but for the record, I loved the fantasy.

I went on to live vicariously through comedians that I dated, an impromptu jump up onto stage at an open mic, and glossing over a standup class that did not fit my schedule. Eventually, the planets aligned and God must have deemed me ready. And about two months ago, I received an e-mail from the PIT promoting a standup class that actually cooperated with my schedule. Now, it was scarily possible! I diligently surveyed my comedian friends and non-friends alike as to the necessity of a standup class. Most of them touted it as unnecessary, pointing instead to open mics as being the true training ground for any standup. I could see their point but enjoyed the structure that a class promised. I hinted at my dad enough for him to spring for half of my class tuition. And it was done! A day before The Art of Standup was scheduled to commence, I was enrolled!

For the next two months, I was thrust into the world of New York’s amateur comedy circuit…and I have lived to tell the story! Following are the most prominent observations from my experience in the standup world!

Comedy is hard work! Comedians walk into a stigma of being a lazy, bitter, late-night drinking, non-contributing members of society. What the general public doesn’t see, however is that these guys are constantly working! They carry a pad and paper with them at all times to record joke material as it is inspired and have stacks of already-filled pads at home! According to comedian Joe Wong, the average comedian uses about 1 out of every 10 jokes that is written and then practices that joke nearly 72 times before it is perfect. That means a comic, at any given point, is simultaneously thinking about material, writing material, and practicing material…meaning the cyclical process is never done. That’s a lot of work!
Comedy Open Mics are a twisted concoction. I remember thinking that it was backwards for comedians to have to pay in order to perform. Yet, I found myself doing it during these two months! What I quickly learned was that http://badslava.com was the go-to resource for open mics. Every comedian in New York hops on this site to see where open mics are happening on any given day. They then attend these open mics, taking place anytime between 4pm-10pm, and tolerate the 5-minute performances of their fellow amateur comics until it is their turn to hop on stage and try out their material. Open mics are accepted as being a brutal setting where laughs are not expected, as the audience usually consists of hard-to-please fellow comics. The organizers of these open mics strike deals with the clubs with the door and drink fees and are usually comedians themselves and host the open mic. In the end, all anyone wants to do is practice. The hierarchy of spots seems to be open mics, bringer shows, scheduled spots, and eventually headline spots. It’s an even crazier industry to navigate through than acting, I believe, and that’s hard!
Comedy is teachable. I used to see what standup comedians did as this intangible gifting that they possessed. I used to think that I could never do something like that. But upon closer examination, I realized the methods and the practice and the true, blue work that went into comedy. I realized that comedians often repeated jokes and that sets were no different than monologues, save for the risk of unexpected hecklers. I saw the discipline behind comedy, especially after watching the documentary “Comedian” by Seinfeld, in which one comedian tirelessly recorded and played back performances, kept a file cabinet full of jokes, filed according to category, and truly breathed comedy. And I was reassured that I could do this thing.
Comedy is terrifyingly exciting. I performed at a total of 5 open mics and 1 show during the course of my standup class. Every single time, my heart raced in anticipation. Every time, I threatened to jump ship. Every time, I experienced mini-anxiety attacks. And every time after a good set, I was elated! It’s the natural nervousness and accompanying high that accompanies doing something you love. I know that every artist has thought to themselves at some point, “Why am I torturing myself like this?” And the ironic answer is “because I love it.” I know. Crazy.
Comedy is not my new career. I am so glad that I can now check “do standup” off my bucket list. I feel a personal sense of accomplishment. I am already reaping the benefits of having done this, both personally and professionally as the needle on the funny meter has climbed in both my conversations and auditions. I am beyond happy with this foray that I took. In the same breath, however, I know that I do not want to invest the amount of time necessary to do this thing well. I am very happy to draw from my comedy experience to complement my acting career, but don’t look for me at a comedy club near you anytime soon! For now, you’ll just have to make do with this video of the fruits of my labor!

Tags: Comedy, Jeanette Eng, standup, the PIT

2011′s Favorite Things

Jeanette

– December 31, 2011Posted in: Jeanette-isms, The Latest

Many times, it’s the little things that keep us humming along and sometimes, there are bigger discoveries that we make along the way that work their way into our life for just a reason, season, or sometimes, a lifetime. These are just a few of the things that have tickled me this year, some discovered this year and others simply still relevant from previous years. Having visited the Himalayas and two races this year, some “project-specific” items inevitably made their way onto this list. I discovered some of my favorite snacks via my nutritionist and am celebrating the umpteenth year in a yogurt addiction. The things that are “non-things” are part of the fabric of my lifestyle and the Mac Red lipstick is a part of the ensemble on my nights out! If you’re looking for ideas, this is a great place to start…the following list most surely is a reflection of the opinions of the writer, moi!

BEAUTY & FUN:
LOL/WTF/LMAO/OMG Wines: These wines are hilarious, clever, and inexpensive! The wine itself is comparable to something like the Yellowtails in that they aren’t anything off-the-charts, but the entire line covers most of the major wines and the concept is trendy, a conversation starter, and fun! I bought these for fun holiday gifts.

MAC Red Lipstick:
This was my first foray into red lipstick and boy did it open up a whole new door for me! Bold and bodacious! Go into a MAC Store, try it on for the day, and see if you don’t go running back for it AND the matching lipliner the next day!

Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT or Mac Highlighter: We’ve all seen how the stars have the beautiful eyes that look bright and glowing…well, this is how they do it. This product will wake your eyes up as soon as you apply it. It’s expensive, at about $40, but I found a good substitute in the Mac Prep+Prime highlighter. Check ‘em out!

PROJECT-SPECIFIC:

NIKE LunarGlides: the right running sneakers make ALL the difference during a race. These were my Godsend!

Adidas Climawarm running pants: You need the right pants so that you’re not 1) tugging at them while you’re running 2) in pain the next day because your pants weren’t supporting your muscles 3) at a loss of where to keep your keys, gum, card, etc. These keep you warm, have a girdle-like affect around your legs, and just make you look fast!

Garmin Watch: Ideal running conditions include being as light and hands-free as possible. This watch gives you your pace, mileage, and total time, leaving your hands free to pump away!

Icebreaker gear (bra, shirts, underwear): I needed all sorts of merino wool gear for climbing the Himalayas and this was great stuff!

FOOD:
Frozen Yogurt: I realized that I have an addiction when I redeemed my reward for spending $50 on fro-yo. I don’t discriminate: Yogurtland, Pinkberry, Red Mango, 16 Handles, Phileo Yogurt, Berrywild, mom and pop imitations…they are all delicious! I have trouble passing by a frozen yogurt store without going in. One day, I ate frozen yogurt on 4 different occasions, simply because I kept passing them!

Almond Milk & Go Lean Kashi: Ever since I discovered this combo, it’s been my breakfast of choice. I love it! low calorie, high-protein, and most importantly, delicious! I would just have this on auto-order if I could!

Soy Crisps: this is a guilt-free and actually healthy snack! You can get about 10 grams of protein in a bag and it’s less than 150 calories and most importantly delicious! These are not to be confused w/ rice crisps or baked chips which have no protein…go soy! Get single serving bags and try all the flavors!

Trident Tropical Twist Gum: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had someone who I was talking to compliment me on my fruity fresh breath! And I’m a fan of function as well as form, so you better believer that this gum delivers as well! This gum lasts longer than any other one that I’ve chewed. I chew it when I run, workout, teach, or need fruity fresh breath! Try it!

I NEVER LEAVE WITHOUT:
Beggars Purse: This is always a hit amongst friends and cashiers alike! It’s where I keep my money (cards don’t fit) and the older it gets, the more authentic it looks! It’s at the MOMA Store and I bought it myself after seeing one of my customers pull one out!

Lululemon Bag: This bag holds my laptop, gym gear, food, and basically a full’s day worth of necessities without making me look like a bag lady! I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on this bag, use it practically everyday, and it has lasted me for about 3 years. It’s a miracle of a bag…seriously.

Business-card sized subway maps: Yes, I’m a city girl at heart, but I am not too proud to whip out a subway map to ensure that I stay on track and this allows me to do it discreetly! You can print some great things on the back and this one has the address to a church I’ve gone to. So, many times, I’ve give the whole map (and church flyer) to strangers who have asked me for directions!

Baby wipes (flushables): The advent of baby wipes for adults has changed the lives of adults across the world, I am sure! Even Tyra banks talked about it on her show! It’s gotten to the point where I carry my own little carrying case because I committed to using these for life. I didn’t get one of these decorative ones, but oooh, I think I might now!

NON-THINGS:
Vintage Shopping: I cannot tell you how many incredible pieces I’ve picked up from Housing Works, Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet. These are all places to which I owe my Marciano dress, Zara dress, Calvin Klein dress, London Fog trench, and countless other items that I would have never been able to afford. Thank you!

Clothing Swaps: Don’t sleep on these! Organize one with your friends or find a way to get into one so that you can get clothes for free! I owe my fur-lined leather jacket and countless adorable pieces to these memorable events!

Books: There are so many amazing books out there and the good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to build your personal library! I’ve even bought so many books from here to send to friends because I wanted to share great reads with them! See here and Buy here!

Restaurant.com/ 8coupons.com: You get a bill for $100, then you hand over a coupon to the waiter for $50, and you’ve basically paid $25 each for an incredible steak dinner at one of the top Steak houses in New York City! And then with 8coupons or by checking in periodically, you can snag these certificates for only $1 or $2 as opposed to the standard price of $25. It’s a great secret!

Social Media: Twitter/Twitpic/Wordpress/Facebook: As wary as I was of social media before I signed on, it has been responsible for a lot of connections, of the personal and business sort, in my life. If managed in a way that it is efficient and effective, which looks different for everyone, you can stay in control of it and reap many benefits!

Optimum Movie Rewards: If you’re a Cablevision customer, get this! You can watch movies for free on Tuesdays and half-price every other day! I owe my movie knowledge to having this service!

Starbucks Member Rewards: If you’re a Starbucks drinker, get this! You get free refills on your coffee and every few coffees, you’ll get a coupon for a completely free drink and then you can buy that delicious drink in a Venti size cuz it’s “on them!” It’s free and there is no catch, so just grab one from the counter at your next coffee purchase!

I just realized that I could go on and expand this list into news stories, inspiring people, great events, recipes, and more intangible items that were part of my 2011, but that would make this article way too long for your taste, I’m sure! Those things will have their own dedicated entry so that for now, you can enjoy this light and fun list of things that you can go out and grab yourself. I wish I could send you a basketful of all of these items Oprah-style, but that will have to wait…maybe in 2012! Thank you!

2011 Men’s Health Urbanathalon & Inaugural Brooklyn Marathon

Jeanette

– December 31, 2011Posted in: Health & Wellness, Jeanette-isms, The Latest

Several years ago, I came across this race and petitioned all of my friends to get on board with me. And then I balked at the $100 registration fee and backed out myself! Then, the following year, they weren’t doing it in New York again! The next year, again, no New York. Finally, this year, 2011, it was back! And I was ready! I signed up for the Urbanathalon and the Brooklyn Marathon straight away because I wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip through my fingers again and I had a loose plan to use these races to raise money for the school in Nepal I had helped! So, there I was, all signed up and ready to go! That’s the crucial first step necessary to commit yourself and get the ball rolling, not unlike booking the plane ticket of a trip. I operate on a “Bite off more than you can swallow, and then trust that God will help you chew” mentality. And so, not having ever done anything like this or having the proper running gear or having the time to train did not phase me in the least. All I knew was that I wanted to do this and so, I took it one step at a time. Just like when you’re driving, you never see the whole road, but as long as you have headlights lighting the first few feet of your path, you know that eventually, you’ll get to California!

And so, my next steps included training, therapy, and gear!

TRAINING:
A combination of the NIKE Running Club, the NY Running Company, the iMapMyRun App for my Droid phone, Hal Higdon’s book, Marathon, and just general surveying and researching were responsible for building a strong training regimen for me. I knew that most marathoners followed marathon training schedules and so I decided that this would be the best way to structure my training. And since the Urbanathalon would take place in the midst of my marathon training, I was killing two birds with one training regimen! The week I returned from Nepal, I had already begun running w/ the NY Running Company just to get in the mix with the right people, information, etc. I ran with this club and the NIKE running club, simply to give me more scheduling options. Someone put me on to Hal Higdon’s book Marathon and in here, I found my marathon schedule! I inputted all the runs into my calendar and was looking at three weekday runs (5-8 miles each) and one Saturday run (13-20 miles) every week. The long runs are the ones in which running partners are so necessary. It’s physically and mentally so helpful to be flanked by runners when you get to those double digit mileages.

It stuns me when I think about running an average of 13-16 miles on Saturday mornings during the course of my training. I remember the first time I hit 16 miles, I thought that my legs were going to give out. The girl I was running with was going for 18 and I was gung-ho, ready to rev, right behind her. But I was all bark and no bite, as I started waning after 13 miles, whining by the 14th mile, sputtering at 15, and literally limping by the time I stopped at mile 16. I told her to keep going, save herself, as I needed to recover and walk the last two miles. It took two miles for my legs to feel again and I suddenly understood the concept of training your feet and legs to simply endure such impact. The second time I hit 16.5 miles, it was part of a 19 mile run and I just couldn’t do it anymore, once again! My legs were jelly as I rounded the 16th mile and I just had to walk. The funny thing is that I had an appointment scheduled for when I estimated that I would be done running. So, in order to maintain that time, I had to take a taxi back to Niketown, the start and finish point! I always laugh about people carrying metrocards w/ them when they run, just in case, but now, I get it!

My life really started changing once I was well into my training. I started thinking about running as a means of transportation. When running 8 miles on a regular basis, so many places suddenly fall within the circumference of your running regimen. I don’t remember how it began exactly, but I started combining my training run with appointments for that day. For example. I ran to Hoboken to meet girlfriends for pizza. One day, I ran from 42nd St to 34th St to get my nails done and then ran to Mott St to get a facial and then ran to 21st St to take a spin class. With my little pocket on the back of my pants to hold my credit card and metrocard, I was unstoppable! The craziest undertaking was when I ran to Hackensack to get my hair cut…9 miles away! I arrived to all these places sweaty, but not stinky, and giddy off of the unorthodox intersection that I had found between life and training!

Another reason why long runs are important are simply to learn what works for you through trial-and-error. Every detail counts when you’re going to be at something for 26.2 miles! For me, I learned that my must-haves are: an ipod shuffle, proper running pants (w/ a pocket in the groove of your lower back), proper sneakers (love my Nikes), gloves (w/ a key holder are great), a mile-tracker (my Droid works, a watch is better), a headband (since I had bangs), and if running to a specific and unfamiliar address, the navigation function of GoogleMaps.

THERAPY:
I tore ligaments in my ankle two years ago. I hate to admit it, but it’s true when people say that your body’s “never the same” after certain injuries. I wasn’t going to let that stop me from signing up for these races, but I also had to be smart and manage my limitations. I started visiting the physical therapy office in my gym when I felt pain after an 8-mile run one day. Andre instructed me to stop running for a week and even entertained the thought of my not running the Urbanathalon. I rejected that notion violently, but agreed to pause running for one week. After reassessing the situation, we settled on a regimen of daily ankle-strengthening exercises and weekly physical therapy visits, concluding with Andre wrapping my ankle in preparation for my next-day long-run. I was grateful for the graciousness and attention that I received from West Sides Sports Med. They were truly instrumental in my success, physically and mentally. I was wailing during a portion of all my visits, as Andre would massage deep into the scar tissue on my ankle, but coming from Chinese descent, part of me took solace in the belief that the pain signaled progress!

It’s so important to be verbal about something that you want to glean information for. I must have spoken about needing therapy or recovery and lo and behold, someone recommended the reflexology spa that would soon be responsible for helping me recover after my long runs and both races! While I was putting my body through all this trauma, it really helped, both mentally and physically, to have someone tend to the resulting inconsistencies and imbalances. Again, I was in serious pain during this time. I would be squirming as the massage therapist would knead the pressure points in my foot that corresponded to muscles in my back, hips, legs, etc. I had white-knuckle grips on that chair, but it was good, it was all good!

GEAR:
I knew that I needed a the right gear. And I knew it wasn’t going to be cheap. But being Chinese and a creative, I didn’t exactly have the money or the mentality to throw all my money into this personal project. I bought gear on a need-to basis little by little, but can say with confidence, that there is value in the right gear. Pockets in your pants, pants that support your legs, gloves that keep your hands warm, underarmour that keeps your body warm, the right hat that keeps your head warm, sneakers that become an extension of your body…all of these things make a difference in the comfort of your run. If you are tugging at your pants, have no tunes in your ears, have cold fingers, have cold air seeping under your hat, you are going to be miserable. You want to get these things squared away so that your energy can be economized for the important thoughts…like running! I am grateful to my friend who hooked me up with the pair of Nikes I used for everything. I am grateful to my roommate to took me shopping for my prize pants on the eve of the Urbanathalon. I am grateful to all the salespeople who helped me buy my gloves, hat, etc that made all the difference in my run and are not must-haves in my running ensemble.

THE URBANATHLON:
I came in 2nd place in my category, female women from 30-35! I was in great shape for this run. I remember flying past so many people and just feeling like I was on fire, it was incredible! The adrenaline rush was nonstop and the energy was electric amongst all the runners in Queens on that forboding Saturday morning (it was raining and by the end of the race, snowing!) I was definitely giddy from the beginning and you can tell in my video as I interviewed friends pre-race.

I know for a fact now that I’m someone who loves doing these adrenaline-charged events. This year will surely bring more races, another Urbanathalon, perhaps a triathalon, and perhaps one of those mud runs! I was literally fist-pumping my way through many parts of the 9-mile run because I was comfortable and my music was good! The obstacles were a challenge for me and I’m grateful that fellow competitors were so gracious as to give me a boost and help me over every one of those walls I had to climb over! The monkey bars required three attempts for me and even on the last one, the supervisor just let me scoot past after having completed most of it. The stairs at Citifield were fine, save for the bottleneck effect of all the runners squeezing into the skinny aisles between the bleachers. There is a lot of upper-body training that I need to do for the next Urbanathalon and strategies that I can employ for certain obstacles. But I was running safely, staying conscious of my ankle, and I made up for any deficit accrued during the obstacles during the running portions. All-in-all, an awesome, awesome experience that I can’t wait to do again! Especially since I’ve qualified to be in the first wave of runners next time! woohoo!

THE BROOKLYN MARATHON:
With the Urbanathalon behind me, I couldn’t rest just yet. I still had to continue my marathon training as the Brooklyn Marathon was less than a month away. What was so great, however, was that I was confident now about the marathon. I now thought of myself as real runner, a real athlete, a competitor who could hold a candle next to other competitors! This was new for me, as I had only run cross-country in high school and a few races here and there prior to this. Of course, I consider myself a fit individual, but I never quite considered myself a “runner”…until now! I remember that I only had one opportunity to hit the 20-mile mark during my long run and I never did it. It’s recommended that every runner run up to 20 miles before embarking on a marathon. This is considered the perfect mileage in order to train adequately without over-training. The adrenaline of race day will easily close the 6-mile gap between your training and your goal. For me, however, due to scheduling constraints and a lack of running partners, I went into the marathon with only 16.5 miles under my belt. It was nerve-wracking!

As I mentioned before, one motivation for my running these races was to raise money for a school in Nepal! This is what I did the night before the marathon. It took a lot of time and effort, but it was the vision that I had for this marathon, so I’m glad that I followed through. What’s great is that somewhere between Temples In Training and Run for Nepal and future races, I believe that this effort doesn’t have to end with me! So even though I only raised $200, which will grant two students tuition, more money can be raised upon this platform!

So, the Brooklyn Marathon, in short, was not the greatest experience. I finished, but it took me about 5 hours and I overshot the finish and ran about a mile extra, which was mentally defeating and frustrating. I also shot out of the gate way to fast, dooming myself by mile 7 for a painful remaining 19 miles. It was definitely not what I had bargained for. What I took away from this is that I have to learn to pace myself to run at reasonable pace from start to finish and also have to complete more miles during training in order to prepare my legs and feet for such extensive running. I also realize that a marathon is not such a cardiovascular challenge for me, as I’m running slow enough to carry on full conversations. So for the next one, the ING New York City Marathon, I would definitely like a group or partner to just keep myself occupied, as boredom is actually an issue for 4 hours! My goal, in 2012 is to either qualify for the ING Marathon via lottery or charity or run 9 races in order to qualify for the 2013 ING Marathon. And then, I will run it under 4 hours! Mark my words!

Tags: Jeanette Eng

Run for Nepal!

Jeanette

– November 20, 2011Posted in: Christ-inspired, Jeanette-isms, The Latest

You donate. I run. Together, we help Nepal!
Please watch this video and help change the world!
And then tweet, like, & re-post it please!

Tags: charity, God

Get in “SHAPE” with Me!

Jeanette

– November 13, 2011Posted in: Health & Wellness, Jeanette-isms, The Biz, The Greatest

I am the face of “SHAPE’s New Workout Builder Tool!” In short, I’m demonstrating 100 exercises which you can drag-and-drop into a playlist and when you hit “play,” I will lead you through to your fitness goal! It’s all about interactive, portable technology, and SHAPE’s got it right! Especially when they chose me!

Screenshot: Shape Workout Builder Tool

Screenshot: Drag & Drop to create your "Workout Playlist!"

This was an incredible shoot. I had so much fun. We shot in Jersey City, for 3 full days. I was so sore, let me tell you! These shoots are actually very challenging because you have to execute the moves with an expression of ease and mistakes are expensive because your body tires with each take! I was doing exercises that even impressed myself! Be sure to check out the one-legged squat, the weighted push-up, the triple-stop push-up, and the dive-bomber push-up! What, what?! Amazing! I admit that I was nervous about some of these exercises, but I had a lot of support from the crew and there were times when I had to eeeek out that last repetition and they would start cheering and clapping to squeeze it out of me!

It was a great shoot and the first time that I asked everyone to pray on set with me afterward! Check out that story in my keynote speech! If you want to use it yourself, check it out here! And since we shot for three days, I had plenty of time for fun behind-the-scenes shots, now included in my gallery!

Fun Fact: This has always been a dream of mine, to model for a fitness magazine. No exaggeration, I have a composite of my image superimposed on a Shape Magazine cover that I created as a visualization tool! I bet it’s still lurking around in my hard drive somewhere, but I don’t even know if I want to reveal it. The point is, I visualized and focused attention on this goal and it came to fruition in this project! Praise God and Hallelujiah!

Tags: Jeanette Eng

My “Christian Women in Media” Event Keynote Speech!

Jeanette

– November 12, 2011Posted in: Christ-inspired, Inspired, Jeanette-isms

Last Thursday, I spoke at a the New York Christian Women In Media Dinner. Aaron Horton and Johanna sang an incredible song that brought me to tears and then before I knew it, I was asked to come up for my speech. Still dabbing my eyes, I went into my speech and wasn’t sure how well my message got across, but received loads of compliments afterward and I just wanted to touch more people with a recording and transcript of it since it seems to have helped so many people. Enjoy!

DownloadJeanette Eng Keynote Speech!

Hi, I’m Jeanette Eng and I’m honored to be here tonight, to share with my fellow Christian Women in Media. Now, I had this whole speech written out, recorded in Garage Band, converted into mp3 format, and playing in my ipod while I ran, hoping that I could subconsciously program it into my brain. Hey I’m Chinese and a stickler, what can I say?! But that all went out the window last night when I was at a power women event hosted by Sukyana from Channel 11. She hosted with such flair and humor and ease…all without notes! So, I said, out with these notes, I’m gonna do the same! And then I came to my senses!

So, let’s get started. I know that for me, it helps me “get” people when I get their story, so to say, so I’ll give you the standard introduction.

I’m a commercial actress and model and spin instructor, working in NY and living in NJ. I’m 32 years old. I started as a Journalism major at Rutgers University and my first job out of college was writing for a local paper. That was the end of my print career. I decided TV would be much more exciting and then just followed the bright lights. To make a windy story short, church reporter led miraculously to red carpet hosting, which led to commercial acting and modeling, which I have been living off of for 4 years…which in this industry, is like tenure!

Ok, that’s it for my Facebook profile. Now, let’s get into the meatloaf of the night, shall we?!

I have been a Christian for most of my life but it is only recently that I have begun to truly mature in my faith and as God would have it, also hitting my stride professionally and personally.

As I mentioned, I was at an event last night that celebrated Power Women. Women in media were present, but these women represented excellence in all fields, from entertainment to film making to business, from Iman to Sade Baderwinwa to Lisa Ling. I was the reporter assigned the task of asking these women “how do you summon your power,” a clever wordplay on the theme of power women. And I received all sorts of answers, from my family to my children to doing a job that I love, but I never heard doing it for God. And that’s my vision…that one day, I”ll be interviewing one of you and that you will be the one to give me that soundbyte.

But I did get some great tips from these women and I don’t think it’s a coincidence, but a God-incident, that I’m experiencing two female power themed events back to back. So in that spirit, I’d like to share 3 stories about what I believe helps us tap into our power source, our Lord, Jesus Christ, to reach our God-appointed power potential.

This first story is about
Following the Burden in Your Heart.
God has to speak to us somehow, am I right? And one of the ways, I truly believe, is through what many people will call gut feelings, nudges. I believe that if you have a God inspired moment like this and you receive affirmation of it and it simultaneously terrifies you and gives you peace, you need to pay attention to it. L
Case in point, I took a commercial acting class and was exposed to a population of improv’ers and comedians that I really took to. At one point in the night, I realized, sadly, that I was probably never going to see many of these people again. And the Christian in me was heartbroken, wanting to connect with these people beyond this one evening of performance and drinks and laughs. But it just wasn’t realistic for me to invite them all to church, or for me to go to all their shows, or for all of us to somehow become coffee grabbing buddies. And so, my heart was burdened.
At the same time, I realized that I was being charged up the “you know what” for this commercial acting class that, in my opinion, did not command such a price tag. I realized that I could mimic this formula of theirs and probably help a lot of people out by doing it for free. And the wheels started spinning.
Well, within a few months, we held our first Actors In Christ meeting, affectionately referring to it as Actors InC w/ a capitol C, for Christ . And fast forward one year, we just celebrated our one year anniversary of meeting every Monday. We have a consistent turnout of 20-30 actors. We consider ourselves equal parts acting workshop and missional outreach. We have brought actors to church and to God and helped them nail auditions and land roles. And one of the actors from that original acting class, whom I felt burdened for, is now one of our leaders.

As Christians, we often have this dilemma. We exist day in and day out, in our unique industries and various circles of friends and acquaintances. How much of God do you share with these people and do you feel a burden in your heart to do so? If that’s the case, my plea to you is to follow that burden to a solution that enables you to bridge that gap. Someone in our church works in a financial firm where he began sending daily inspirational verses to his co-workers…now, there are several hundred Wall Street men and women on this mailing list. And I can just imagine how much life has changed for him, now known as a Christian amongst his peers.

So, once again, follow the burden in your heart…it’s from God for a reason and to you and it’s for a reason.

This second story is about:
Biting off more than you can swallow and trusting that God will help you chew.
Some of the best things that have happened in my life have been the things that were the most daunting, the most unplanned, the times that God had to help me chew. Francis Chan wrote in his book, “Forgotten God,” “I want to live in such a way that I am desperate for Him to come through. That if He doesn’t come through, I am screwed.” And as a pastor, he acknowledges that he probably shouldn’t use that word, but he doesn’t feel that any other word expresses his feelings as well! And he goes on to challenge us to live a life that screams, “This could have only been made possible by the hand of God!” Like Gideon’s army, we want people to look at our lives and know that this was some sort of miracle, this was not simply of our own skill and network, but something infinitely and mysteriously greater. And, in order to do that, we have to step out on faith, step out on those burdens, and trust that God will meet us when we need Him. He wants us to set the bar so high, think so big, that it would be impossible on our own. How exciting is that call to action? To think big, and then think even bigger on top of that? We don’t do that enough!

I was guilty of it when I embarked on my first missions trip last summer. It took me over a decade to do my first missions trip because I was “ye of little faith.” I looked to my bank account, my lack of experience, my time constraints…and they all told me, you’re in no position to go on a missions trip! Yet, when I went for it, God raised the $3,500 that I didn’t have, gave me the missional mindset, and made it all not only possible, but a life-changing trip for me. It was this missions trip that planted the seed for Actors InC.

But I committed the same crime just months later, when just a week shy of the launch of Actors InC, I tried to delay it. I wanted to prepare more, become more qualified to lead an actor workshop, get rid of this voice in my head that kept taunting me, “who do you think you are, leading an acting workshop, you’re still taking them!” But God spoke through one of my brothers, who would not allow me to delay the launch…he said, “God will make it happen.” And so I took a big ole bite!
This is nothing new. We’ve all heard
“It’s easier for God to re-steer an object in motion than to move a parked object.”
“God, I’ll take care of the quantity and you take care of the quality.”
Start your vision and the provision will come.
So ladies, this is one area in which I denounce portion control! Go and start biting away at the God’s plan for you!

This third story is about:
Being excellent in what you do and being honest about your faith.
All things stem from this and go back to this. Tim Tebow is an example. Oprah can be cited as an example. Jeannie Mai is an example. Megan Alexander is an example. And we should all hope to be household names one day…names of people excellent in their craft who give all the glory to God. It’s started to happen to me lately, where people are seeking advice from me and time with me, and are simply marveling at “how I do it.” And these are my golden opportunities. I couldn’t ask for a better platform on which to reveal that I thank God for it, that I prayed over it, and won’t you come to church with me?
If you live this way, “being excellent in what you do, and being honest, and I mean, raw honesty, about your faith,” I can assure you that you will be challenged…there’s no way to live this way and not be.

And cue, my 3rd story. I was recently on a shoot for Shape Magazine. On this shoot, I had to do 100 exercises over the course of 3 days! And I executed those exercises with excellence, holding poses for much longer than is recommended! And never once did I complain or display diva-behavior. In short, I displayed excellence in performance, attitude, etc. And when the shoot wrapped on day 3, I was so joyful that I again felt this burden to say a prayer with these people who had been my family for the past 72 hours. And so I asked. I asked these people, whose faith was unknown to me, to “just humor me and join me in a quick prayer of gratitude, before we leave?” And so, there we stood in the studio, heads bowed and hands joined, as I thanked God for a successful shoot and prayed over each person’s individual life. It was scary for me, but to have done anything less than that would have been a lie. Honesty is still the best policy and so, if you are honest about your faith, you will talk about church when asked what you did this weekend, you will say grace even at a business lunch, and you will be the same woman in church as in the world.

And excellence for God is one of the best motivators! There are times when I’m swimming and literally thinking to myself, this is for God because this exercise is going to make me more excellent. Whether I’m running a race, getting dressed, exercising, auditioning, or any of the multitude of tasks that we have to complete in this life, doing it for myself doesn’t always cut it, and when I switch to doing it for God, suddenly, the drive is back. Doing it for God is certainly a reason to get up in the morning!

And honestly, the success, accolades, and money will come. Last night, I was in a room full of CEO’s, Bestselling authors, the president of Jenny Craig, all clad in glittering gowns and smelling just lovely. And people wanted to know how these women do it. And there is truth in the clichés because these women testified t it. The soundbytes I collected included, “Do what it is you’re passionate about and the money will follow.” Lisa Ling really drove this point home when she pointed out that she doesn’t even know how much money she has, she just does what she loves. And I believe her and it’s comforting to see living proof that that works. Other sentiments were, “Stay true to yourself,” “mentor and inspire others…go outside of yourself to affect the world.” These women were in a position of influence and were given a platform on which to share whatever it is they wanted. When Iman got up, she went into a whole schpiel about her charity, attempting to connect with us in 5 minutes about the women she is trying to save in the Congo. It was a bit much, like a mini-lecture, but I applaud her efforts. And my prayer is that one day, one of us is up there, just as passionately ignorant of our time restriction, using those 5 minutes to glorify God.

So at the end of the night, I was kicking myself for not inviting Lisa Ling, Sukyana, and Robert Dinero’s wife here…sorry Suellen! And that made me realize how unique we are. Because in a room full of media women, I didn’t experience one who was clearly a believer. We are a demographic that represents a slice of an already small slice! So, it’s vital that we all play a role in supporting CWIM, not only returning, but returning with someone new every time. As we grow in excellence and gain more clout in our respective fields, it becomes even more important to bring that back to CWIM and God will continue to bless us…abundantly, accordingly, and powerfully.

Thank you!

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Tags: Jeanette Eng, NY Moves Magazine

Let me tell you the “Sierra Trading Post” Story.

Jeanette

– September 29, 2011Posted in: Inspired, Jeanette-isms, The Latest

This is one that keynote speeches are made from ya’ll, so kick back and prepare to be inspired! So, it’s all self-explanatory in the screen shot here, but I’ll just get you up to speed before you dive in. I went to the Himalayas in August to trek and volunteer at a school. I needed a TON of gear…everything from UV-protecting, sweat-wicking, insect-repelling shirts to energy bars. I came back with some items to return, both in-store and online. One of the sites that I purchased from was Sierra Trading Post. I did not know it at the time, but during my trip, learned that Sierra Trading Post is actually a Christian company! A Christian outdoor/camping gear online retailer?! How does that work, exactly? I was intrigued, impressed, and interested. This little nugget of information made its was back to me while I was chatting w/ customer support about their returns process, which, true to form, is extremely gracious! So, please read below to see how God turned a typical customer support call into a REAL conversation…I think you’ll find it amusing!

My chat window w/ Sierra Trading Post Customer Support

So, I wasn’t able to capture the next few lines of conversation, during which I explain the method behind my madness, that I have a similar mission here in NY w/ Actors InC. The rep then offered to “forward my comments onto his supervisor for further review” (doncha just love their professionalism!) and I played along, exclaiming, “Sure, connect me with the owner!”

Well, be careful what you wish for! Yesterday (about a week later,) I received an e-mail from the founder/owner of Sierra Trading Post. Here are some excerpts from Mr. Keith Richardson!

“Dear Jeanette: Thank you for the nice compliments you shared with Sierra Trading Post. It means a lot to me when a customer takes the time to let us know that they appreciate our company. I really appreciate it when a fellow believer writes to me. If you haven’t done so, I invite you to check out the Founder’s story. It gives the rationale behind my business philosophy…Best regards, Keith Richardson, President, Sierra Trading Post”

I was stunned. A simple customer service chat had led to this. I think that this story speaks for itself because I can’t even begin to break it down. Be bold. Take chances. Speak your mind and do so respectfully. Be proud of your faith and let it speckle your conversations as you so feel called to. Think big because God is supernatural, meaning he goes beyond what our natural minds might conceive. ie: I may be thinking “this is a fun customer service chat conversation.” God may be thinking, “I’m going to have Jeanette and Keith meet each other.” This is the type of story that you cannot deny God is a part of.

And, so, as Francis Chan talks about in his book, Forgotten God, take chances! Chan says, “I love to put myself in situations in which I know that without God, I’ll be screwed.“ He acknowledges that such may be strong language for a pastor, but that best expresses how he feels! And do you know why he loves this? Because he wants to be able to say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God was a part of that situation. He wants his life to be a time line chock full of accounts in which God swooped in and worked miracles, moved mountains, and created breakthroughs.

A life full of amazing stories that can only be justified by the hand of God? I want that too. Don’t you?! Go get it!

Tags: God, inspiration

“Help Me Howard” profiles Me!

Jeanette

– September 16, 2011Posted in: Christ-inspired, Jeanette-isms, The Biz, The Greatest

In the midst of promoting my missions trip to the Himalayas like crazy, I contacted a reporter I knew, Howard Thompson, of Help Me Howard, in a long-shot attempt to gain him as a celebrity guest at our fund-raiser. He declined my invitation. And counter-invited me to do an interview with him to be featured on WPIX11! Here it is!

Tags: actress, Jeanette Eng, jeanetteeng.com, model

OMG, FNO, GR8T TIME, PIX 2 COME!

Jeanette

– September 10, 2011Posted in: Jeanette-isms, The Latest

Translation: Omigod, Fashion’s Night Out, Great Time, Pics to Come! That title is homage to the ridiculous overuse of acronyms in our society today! Everything seems to be getting the abbreviation treatment and once you’re part of the social media sphere, you understand why; what with limited space and character allotments within which to express yourself. But honestly, is it then necessary to continue to use the abbreviations in spoken conversation and/or long articles!? My belief is that if you don’t actually pronounce the acronym (ie: asap/ay-saap) or spell out the acronym (ie: r.s.v.p), then you should say or write out the entire word when possible. It’s just awkward to read DWTS or ABDC because the reader literally has to translate it back to Dancing With The Stars or America’s Best Dance Crew, defeating the purpose of acronyms making life easier.

Fashions-Night-Out-NYC-2011

Anyway, enough of that! The purpose of this article is to rave about Fashion’s Night Out, not gripe about the demise of the English language! I’m going to write about FNO from the pedestrians perspective…not as an authority on fashion, not as a socialite with exclusive access, not as even a fashionista…just as an ordinary New Yorker with an appreciation for good, clean, drama-free fun in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Well, let me set this up by saying that Fashion Week is usually no different for me than the other 51 in the year…as I’m sure is the case with most New Yorkers. I mean, let’s be honest here: if you aren’t a model or a designer or somehow involved with covering Fashion Week, then what can you do? You know it’s happening, you read the articles, you watch the tv blurbs, you may even walk by Lincoln Center and smell the couture yourself, but that’s probably as close as your non-designer manicured paws will get! Which is why the geniuses who invented FNO are also sweethearts! Because now, everyone who is no one can finally be someone for one night of Fashion Week! Everyone gets their fairy-dusted New York moment! I am so impressed with the mayhem that is Fashion’s Night Out within just three years of its existence.

Every participating store or pop-up store seemed committed to outdoing their neighbor in extravagance, music, giveaways, and just altogether fabulous-ness. It’s the cosmopolitan version of the suburban houses secretly competing for the best Christmas decorations. And we, the consumers, are fortunately caught in the crossfire! And so, as one wanders the streets of the Meatpacking district or Soho or Madison Avenue on that fateful day, one will be showered with free gifts and invitations to enter store after store, wherein he/she shall be greeted with a signature drink and/or hors de voures. Music, usually live, will entice you to sway to and fro through the isles of clothes and activities might even be planned to entertain you if you should choose to keep the purse strings tied.

On several occasions, I felt as if I was transported into a club. One store went so far as to create an outdoor barbeque scene on their property, complete with astroturf. Free mascara, free ice cream, free lollipops, free pop chips, free drinks, free drinks, and did I mention, free drinks? What a night out. This is just as good as the Halloween Parade in NYC and I never thought I would say that. Go to Fashion’s Night Out next year and enjoy your glass slipper moment…it’s free!

Tags: manhattan, new york

finally there.

Jeanette

– July 1, 2011Posted in: Jeanette-isms, The Latest

I haven’t blogged in a while…and the culprit has been a fundraiser that has been the sole consumer of my existence for the past two weeks. Let’s just say that I do not envy event planners and now I understand why people elope! This is not to say, however, that I am not basking in the afterglow of an amazing night. The cumulative result of so much planning and meeting and deliberating and arguing and stressing was an evening that showed me that I finally am who I’ve always wanted to be…and that is priceless. There was no time to realize it last night, but today, as I reflect, I can quantify the different ways in which I’ve grown into the woman that I’ve always wanted to “grow up to be.” Warning: the information that I’m about to share is intimate in nature, so for those with weak emotional tolerance, you may want to navigate away now……. Still here? Well, a peek into Jeanette’s Diary you shall receive! Now, I’m the kind of person who strives to be a doer rather than a talker. I want the proof to show in the pudding…let my accomplishments speak for themselves. Hence, I’m divulging the following because I feel I’m actually stating what is and not speculating what will be. To demonstrate the contrast, I will share the past goals that I’ve had, followed by how I feel that I’ve accomplished them.

I’ve always wanted to be a connector amongst different communities; someone who had the ability to combine her worlds
Last night, I witnessed friends from my personal life, my gyms, my church, and my industry mingling in one place, connecting through the common purpose of supporting me. And I felt fully at ease flitting from group to group and introducing person to person. This is a far cry from the days when I felt that I had to compartmentalize all the different worlds that comprised my life and I always wished to have the ability to freely connect everyone.
I’ve always wanted to be someone who worked side-by-side with her pastors. (whom she would be on a first-name basis with!)
For the fundraiser, I convinced two of my pastors to be a part of my fundraiser last night. It was a vision that I had from the very beginning. And in just recent months, I have built up a relationship with them as such that made this effortless. They never fail to tell me that I’m doing great work and express their desire to collaborate with me.
I’ve always wanted to be a valid and respected member of the artist community.
I can now truthfully say that I run an acting working and produced a show chock-full of New York talent. I can say that people ask me for advice on the industry as well as the craft of acting. I can say that I am regularly affirmed in my abilities as a model/actress. I can say that talent that I respect respects me right back. I can say that I feel like I make a difference in the acting world. I can say that I have true friends and acquaintances in the acting world. I can say that I am an actor/model. Cool!
I’ve always wanted to be fearless…creatively, socially, spiritually, and professionally.
Putting together this fundraiser has required me to put myself out there every day. Whether I had to approach vendors, promote to my spin class, stalk talent, proposition high-profile individuals, or get up on stage as an artist, it never got easier. But…I did it. And I succeeded. Here is a snapshot of some of the insane predicaments in which “being fearless” put me in. Get ready for some belly laughs!

-I wanted to approach the Rubin Museum [Himalayan Museum]. I only had a small window of time in which to do so…and that window closed on me. But deterred I was not. I saw a lady at the front desk still inside, on the phone. I now know her as Tashi Chondron, one of the managers and a very striking woman, inside and out. But at that moment, as I stood before her tapping on the clearly locked glass door, pleading with her through my eyes to make an exception for me, she probably thought I had lost my mind. Thank God, she came to the door and we conversed through the crack, faces pressed in as close as was hygienically acceptable, as she explained that she literally did not have the ability to open it for me. And she told me to leave my materials at the security desk down the street for her. Thank you God again!, that the security guard simply let me enter through, essentially trespassing during museum afterhours and to her surprise, there I was before her, no door to hold me back! We got to know each other and she donated ten tickets to us and promoted our cause to her staff and guests! What a happy ending!

-Another similar incident consisted of my approaching a comedian whom I knew only through watching his show. I was an instant fan and made it a point to tell him so apres-show. I wanted to get him a performance slot in a friend’s comedy production, but to no avail. And then, when it came time for us to book talent for our fundraiser, of course he popped into my head. “But this guy writes for David Letterman!” I brooded. Nevertheless, thankful for the protection of virtual communication, I reached out to Kevin via email and hit “send.” I doubted he would even remember me, let alone agree to perform for free! But he did remember me, ecstatically, if I may add…AND he agreed wholeheartedly to perform. Victory!

-I had to literally pep-talk myself into promoting my fundraiser to my spin classes. There’s just something about petitioning people to attend something solely for yourself that makes it feel as if you’re soliciting. “Just give me a clipboard and a smock to complete the costume,” I thought to myself. Nevertheless, I did it, as much as I could, sometimes mustering up the boldness to stand at the door handing a flyer to each student as they exited. And you know what happened? People donated and people came! Some people whom I didn’t even know! People who would never have known otherwise! Score!

I’ve always wanted a hot body. (Just sayin’!)
Last night, I wore a Bebe dress. In a size XS. And it fit like a glove. This was monumental. I have probably been fighting an upstream battle with my body for most of my adult life, only really feeling happy in my skin during two very distinct periods. I am not purporting by any means that I was obese, but I wasn’t happy with my temple. To make a long story short, it required my having consulted with a nutritionist for the past few months in order to learn and apply what it requires to acquire the body I want. And for the first time, I feel like I can maintain this body because it hasn’t been accomplished through a rigid diet, as in the past. I have knowledge behind my decisions and habits that I can continue for the long haul. And just as I had envisioned, my confidence in auditions has skyrocketed, my readiness to shoot is back, my success in booking is climbing and I feel like I’m on fire!
I’ve always wanted to be a missionary.
Ever since I was a highschool church-goer, watching my friends dispersing to all corners of the world to do God’s work, I wanted to go on a missions trip. But I never felt ready, spiritually or financially. More than a decade passed since I pushed the urges away. And then last year, through much prodding from my circle of faithful brothers and sisters, I finally made good on my desire and went to Taiwan! And while I was there, God already spoke to me about going to another one this year! And I am! And I believe that there are more to come. Amazing!
I’ve always wanted to be a well-connected individual.
Now, I’m no celebrity…not on a global scale at least I’ve often stared wistfully at pictures of celebrities hob-nobbing with other celebrities and gracing red carpets and partaking in all sorts of glamorous activities. I’ve been teased with momentary access to this lifestyle here and there, but alas, inevitably have to return home sans glass slipper! Last night, however, throwing a fabulous party in a fabulous studio in the West Village made me realize that I’m not that small of a fish in the ocean of NYC after all! There is always farther to go, but I’m staying afloat.
I’ve always wanted to be an influence-er.
As expected, I saw many good friends and old friends last night. But unexpectedly, I also saw some people that I had only met a week ago. I saw some students from a spin class that I had only taught once. I saw a girl whom I had simply auditioned with (essentially, my competition!) several days earlier. The point is, I had enough of an impact on strangers to garner their attendance at my event! They paid $30 and gave hours of their time to support me, whom they had only met for a brief moment in time only recently! I was overwhelmed…beyond overwhelmed. I have often heard that I’m an influencer and an inspiration. But you tend to take those compliments with a grain of salt. Now? I believe it.

I was able to pull off something amazing last night. Of course, equal credit is due to my superwomen counterparts of the soiree, but the vision that I had played out before my eyes last night. And the only one who could have accomplished that was the woman whom I’ve always wanted to be. And that is now me. I’m finally there. =)

P.S. By no means do I mean that I am done! If I keep up the good work, in not time I should be: living in a swanky Manhattan apartment, with the Godly hunk of my dreams, hosting my own show, and being even more of the woman I want to be! I can’t wait!

Tags: Jeanette Eng