7 random facts about me blog

Hey Blog Readers! 

So for a while there everyone was writing facebook statuses which gave an insight into 7 random facts about themselves. Personally I liked these statuses because I found it interesting to learn some silly random facts about different people - it made me feel like I knew them a little bit more! BUT I know some people found the craze annoying (there's always a few right??). Anyway, I didn't share mine on facebook so I thought I'd share them here: that way only people who are interested will feel a need to click in to the blog link :)

Here we go... 

1. For years I hated my name 'Shahira' simply because it was different... I wanted to be called Rachel (after Rachel from friends) or Nicola because I think the nick name "Nikki" is cute! I had people call me by my nick-name for years (it rhymed with barry... cringe) I wouldn't change my name from Shahira now because I've grown to really like it and it also means 'Famous' in Arabic so that's kind of cool considering I'm pursuing a career in entertainment so it's a great stage name! By the way another random fact: my mum always says if she knew it meant famous she wouldn't have called me it and would have looked for something with a "deeper meaning" lol. 
2. When I was younger I hated photographs (you would never know that now... #selfie, lol!). The first pictures I thought were 'decent' were from when I made my debs in 2008! (funny because I cringe at them now). 
3. I've suffered from panic attacks and have a constant struggle to control my anxiety (even to this day - despite the front I may show to the rest of the world). I also went through a period of depression and at one point it was very serious. In general I would describe myself as a "glass half full" and a very happy person but despite having legitimate reasons for feeling the way I was feeling it still hit me like a tone of bricks and was difficult to make sense of or see past. These days I wouldn't say "I'm cured" because it's day by day (and I think it will always be day by day) but I am aware and I take extra care to look after my mental health. FYI I also hate that it's called 'mental health' a lot of the time people do have reasons for becoming depressed. My point is that depression can sneak up on anybody! The only reason I am choosing to share this here on my blog is because I genuinely don't think that anyone from the outside glancing in would have guessed it at any point (except for those extremely close to me) and therefore my message would be that we have to be kind to each other because you truly never know what someone is going through! I have chosen to share this personal information because if even one person reading this can relate: know that you are not alone and realise that through every dark night there's a bright day after that! I am also sharing because I think it's important for people who have struggled with this to speak out and not to feel ashamed! we are human and life can be hard! Not only do we need to take care of eachother but first and foremost we need to take care of ourselves! "Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself". 
4. I live a very healthy lifestyle (some may call it boring) I rarely go out and barely drink alcohol - I say barely because I don't want to put the label "i don't drink" on myself because I feel that's pressure and it's made into a big deal then if from time to time I decide to! (it's not the end of the world afterall). I used to enjoy partying as much as the next person (I started prettyyy young) but my priorities have been building a career and chasing my dreams for the past couple of years and to be honest I get more happiness and adrenaline out of being on set or progressing in that way then I do from a night out anymore and personally I don't think I can balance both. Safe to say this decision also lead me to realize who my true friends were and who were only around as "drinking buddies". 
5. I'm really out-doorsy! I love nature and animals! (I miss my pets a ridiculous amount!!) one of my favorite things to do is to go hiking! I also like adventure sports - kayaking, gorge walking, rock climbing, anything like that is right up my street but I don't get a chance to do them as much as I would like to! 
6. I'm a Taurus and probably a typical one in many ways... I'm stubborn, passionate and when I set my mind on something chances are I'm going to do it. I don't take no for an answer... where there's a will there IS a way! (obviously all within good morals) 
7. I have a very small family - My immediate family consists of just me, my mum and my sister and despite living in LA. I speak to my mum about 10-15 times a day and my sister maybe 1-2 x a day depending on our schedules! Viber is a great thing! There couldn't be a closer family and despite being small we are strong and so united! It causes me a huge amount of pain being so far  away from them and I'm not embarrassed to say they are my true best friends!x! 

So there you have it! 7 diverse and random facts about me that you may or may not have know depending on how well you know me on a personal level! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Lots of Love, 

Shahira Xo

If your company would like a review or specific blog-post on a product, treatment, service or any other item to appear on www.shahirabarry.com email info@shahirabarry.com with the details.

The highlights of my week... what I've been up to...

Hey Blog Readers! 

So I was trying to think of what to blog about and then I thought.. well I've done a lot of cool stuff this week so maybe I'll just write a diary piece on what I've been up to. Let me know - Do you like updates/diary entries? if so I might make them a habit or at least keep you up to date every now and then!

Anyway, here we go! Today (Thursday as I write this) I woke up with a really sore throat (I felt it coming on last night) and I'm really feeling stuffy and horrible like I'm getting a cold :'( everything aches! I'm not really surprised as my body is probably adjusting and trying to catch up to my new environment - this move has been both mentally and physically exhausting! I have been SO busy that I am absolutely wrecked! Life here is x100 the speed of my life back home in Galway/Ireland... When I think back to Ireland now I think of a really calm, easy going, relaxing, place.. whereas LA is full speed ahead and for me it's been so hectic! but kind of hectic in a good way because I am glad I've been kept busy! it's a weight off my mind! Anyway, I'm definitely not surprised I'm sick! I've been working nearly every single day and it's been absolutely roasting (September seems hotter than August!) most days I am on set/in studios and I go from the extreme heat outside to absolutely freezing studio conditions. The temperature change is massive and I could tell early on that it was an environment for a cold/flu.. and here we are! lol!

ANYWAY, I pulled myself together on time to audition in the afternoon! It was a callback audition - So I realllyyy wanted to nail it! I managed to make myself feel better (cough=painkillers) and my audition actually went really well!! (fingers and toes crossed). It was an audition for a commercial/TV advert that will air in the UK and Ireland! ... YUP come all the way to the USA and have a UK/Irish commercial interested in you, LOL! I hope I didn't sound too stuffy because by the time I got home I was feeling worse than before...I genuinely think it took all my energy to pull myself to the audition! Lets hope it pays off!

I've worked all week on smaller jobs but I guess the two biggest ones I had this week was on Saturday I shot a series of commercials/TV Adverts for the EMA's (European Music Awards). I'm not sure when the EMA's are on but you'll probably spot my mug on MTV in the run up to them! I was playing a CRAZY Nicki Minaj fan..... Like literally I was chasing her car and everything!... It was very comedic but I just hope people who know me realise it's acting and not that I've come to LA to stalk Nicki Minaj, haha, I mean don't get me wrong - I do like Nicki+her music but not that much! = I don't like anyone that much! haha! Anyway we shot in and around a studios in DownTown Los Angeles (It was the same studios where I worked on a Maroon 5/Adam Levine video the other week). It was a long but fun day and I made some really lovely new friends! I'm making friends on almost every set I'm on: it's a really great way to meet like minded people!

lol

On Tuesday I was on set of a MOVIE (eeek my second movie in two weeks! lets keep'em coming!). It's a Universal movie called 'Straight Outta Compton' it's produced by Dr.Dre and Ice Cube (Ice Cube's son  play's him=he's super cute and really nice btw!) . It due to hit cinemas in 2015 and tells the story of the group NWA emerging from Compton in the 1980's/90's revolutionizing pop culture with their music and stories about life in the hood. I was booked a dancer! it was a 12hour day so of course it wasn't that glamorous: my feet were in bits by the end!! and I was SO tired zZz! BUT it was still one of the most interesting days of my life! Everyone who know's me know's I love hip-hop and my mum brought me up on rap music as well as Soul/Motown and reggae (super cool mum) so I was actually really interested in the story behind the movie and I am SO excited to watch it! all the characters looked like the real deal and I just kept staring at them imagining what it would have been like to really be in that situation back in the day and to be a part of something so massive! one of the main scenes of the day was EasyE meeting with Ice Cube in attempt of getting the group back together and this meeting went down in a New York city night club in the early 90's. Sadly we all know EasyE is no longer with us & I was quite young when he died so it was amazing to see his character being played out right in front of my eyes. Not to mention Dr.Dre was in the MOFO'Building! while I got the sense it would have been unprofessional to approach him for a picture while I was there to work and it was really busy it was SUPER COOL just seeing him stroll around bts making sure everything was running smoothly! To me he is one of the coolest!-seriously... he is a self made billionaire and the first of his kind to emerge from rap music! If that's not inspirational I don't know what is! it was a pleasure to be in his presence and as my sister said to me today on the phone.. "some people would literally pay to be there.. and you're there getting paid and doing what you love" yup that felt good!! needless to say my sister is a Dr.Dre fan (who isn't?) and a kid of the 80's/90's=the revolutionary period of hip hop music!

I also got to visit the Noh8 HQ for a photoshoot (eek) which was so fun & a great experience! but I think that was last week (my days are confused) anyway pro.pics soon! :)

Anyhow, I'm going to hit the hay because I have another early call time (working at Warner Brothers again tomorrow) and I need to feel better from this cold or I won't be able to go = I need an early night! zZz! hopefully I feel better tomorrow and keep your fingers crossed for me and the audition I had today! eeek! :)
In other news I'm moving into my permanent LA home on Wednesday (YAY-Finally the renovations are complete) so when I have it set up I may give you a video tour (if you'd like that??) or take pictures for a blog :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lots of Love, 

Shahira Xo

If your company would like a review or specific blog-post on a product, treatment, service or any other item to appear on www.shahirabarry.com email info@shahirabarry.com with the details.