Directing is its own monster with its own set of muscles and exercises. Chandra Wilson More Quotes by Chandra Wilson More Quotes From Chandra Wilson Our happiness is certainly mixed in with the tragedies of life. You have to find the lemonade. You have to find the silver lining in the middle of everything that happens in life. Chandra Wilson silver tragedy happiness I wanted a good relationship with my mother, and I realized I had a choice: Either I could spend all my time angry that she didn't give me the hugs I thought I needed, or I could understand that she hugs differently. It's not a spread-open-the-arms, 'come here' hug. She hugs by sheltering me from her worries. Chandra Wilson good-relationship mother giving The only thing that I know is that, growing up, I came across stumbling blocks, and I always said to myself, 'If I ever get into a position to do something about this, I would like to, so that somebody does not deal with what I went through. Chandra Wilson growing-up block doe Starting at age four, my mom decided that she was not going to have an idle child in the house. So I started taking dance lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then I was in acting classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and I was also modeling on Saturdays. And that was my childhood. Chandra Wilson friday mom monday If I want to know how I'm doing at work, I don't wait for a pat on the back; I ask the people who will give me a clear, objective opinion. When I need a real, arms-wrapped-around-me hug, I go to someone who does that. I stopped getting disappointed by my expectations from non-huggers. Chandra Wilson real giving people I was an only child for 16 years. I didn't realize it at the time, but that experience definitely turned me into a people pleaser. I always tried to do what was expected of me, and I constantly sought reassurance from the adults around me that I was doing a good job. Chandra Wilson jobs children years I keep getting amazing things to bring to life. There's always something to discover with 'Dr. Bailey,' something that brings her home to the audience, something that makes people say, 'I know that woman. I work with that woman.' It's incredibly flattering and I'm still finding new things with her all the time. Chandra Wilson drs home people I cannot get into cottage cheese, and I've tried a lot. Yogurt is hard for me to eat, too. I have to hold my nose to get it down. There's something wrong with that. Chandra Wilson cottages yogurt noses My first show was 'The King and I' when I was five. Chandra Wilson kings shows firsts I'm excited to flex my Broadway muscles - it keeps you alive as an actor. Chandra Wilson broadway alive actors Before 'Grey's Anatomy,' I was doing musicals, plays, commercials, you name it. Chandra Wilson grey names play I'm fortunate enough to have learned not to waste time getting frustrated with my kids, or co-workers, or friends and family for not doing everything I wish they would. If someone doesn't respond to me the way I want them to, I understand that it doesn't have anything to do with me. Chandra Wilson frustrated wish kids I'm a big cook and prefer to make meals at home when I can. I'm either cooking or we're going to a drive-through somewhere. I'm really proud of my homemade sweet potato pie. At Thanksgiving I make five of them because they go quick. Chandra Wilson pie home sweet When the time came for me to go to college, there was only one scholarship that my high school offered at the time and I didn't win that one, but that didn't stop me. I went on to college anyway. I worked my way through it and paid my student loans for 11 years. Chandra Wilson college winning school I was in a theater company in Houston, Theatre Under the Stars, and I was involved in about 10 of their productions. Chandra Wilson about company theatre stars While I was at NYU, I did a play at The Public called 'The Forbidden City,' where I went in as an understudy and got my Equity card. Chandra Wilson city where equity play I worked at Deutsche Bank for about eight years on their overnight shift. I was working consistently in the theater. I just wanted to know that my rent was going to be paid on time! Chandra Wilson bank just know time 'Grey's' is one of those shows... that's been able to ride so many waves. Chandra Wilson waves ride been grey You're not going to find a more committed performer than Sandra Oh - to every single word, action, history that informs the future. Every little thing. Chandra Wilson you future action history It's very difficult to advocate for yourself while you're in excruciating pain. Chandra Wilson yourself you difficult pain