Blue Skies are Calling

my top three.

2010-02-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

below are three of the most important lessons i learned from the city.

1.) it’s ok to want to be alone.

i’m not sure exactly when this happened, but i do know that at some point on my adventure, i discovered the beauty and simplicity of existing unaccompanied. in such a vast and crowded city, one might assume being alone to be impossible, but it isn’t so. new york taught me how to slip like a ghost into the crowd – to become invisible – and i loved it. she swallowed me and sheltered me, and in the silence that is this city’s roar, i was reintroduced to myself.

2.) my dream can be attained.

i think i went into this new york experience with much more doubt than i realized – doubt in my future, in myself. for example, people are always asking my parents how i like school.

“what is she studying?” they inquire.
“oh she loves it,” they tell everyone. “she’s studying theater.”

this is most often followed with an “oh good”, a semi-genuine smile, slight pause, and then, “what does she plan on doing with that?”

my parents take turns answering this one, but their answers are always the same.
“well, she’s going to act.”

their answer seems confident and matter-of-fact, but truthfully, i know they are as scared for me as whomever they are speaking with. this business is a tough one – and they do want so desperately for me to succeed – yet in the back of their minds they are aware of what a slim chance that actually is. from the very start, they’ve done their best to keep me grounded, humble, and realistic. however, when i arrived in new york and began seeing musicals with my own eyes, i was immediately conflicted. on one hand, i was desperately afraid of never getting my own chance in the spotlight, and on the other hand, my confidence was boosted immensely.

“i can sing just as good as these women can,” i remember thinking. “i can act too. i have a big smile and a warm, open heart. i know now, more than ever, that this is going to happen for me.”

and it will. attainable dream. period.

3.) first impressions deserve second chances.

i spent a month in the city of the stage with six other people – only one of whom i really knew. i had preconceived notions attached to everyone – no exceptions – and yet one of my favorite parts of my adventure was watching everyone’s curtain rise, revealing souls that i had never seen, people i hadn’t taken the time to know. new york taught me new things about each person, things i see now and love. i cultivated relationships, and i walked away with a couple of the best i’ve had.

thanks, nyc, for shoving me out of my comfort zone and into the lives of some truly amazing individuals.

soup line.

2010-02-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

(from our very first time serving the soup line, this monologue has been forming in my thoughts. it needs to be worked and developed, but i'd like to think there is a little potential lurking somewhere.)

oh my gosh, what am i doing here? i don’t belong. i don’t know what i thought this would be like, but whatever it was, it’s not. these people are judging me, i know it..

they are probably thinking “what a stupid, spoiled little white girl – shivering and trying to look friendly. of course she’s cold, she’s wearing a disgusting little designer skirt and tights.. well that’s too bad, little lady. what the hell do you know about being hungry, anyway? about being poor?”

i can see contempt in their eyes and on their faces, and they have every right to look that way. they’re right. i’ve never known what it’s like to go hungry or to spend a night on a park bench. i don’t know what it feels like to wonder where or when the next meal is coming or to wander in search of shelter on a bitter cold night.

but the thing is, i do know what it’s like to feel alone – to feel that every person, just for a moment, has completely turned their back. i promise, you guys, i can identify with you there.

and so go ahead, make assumptions and judge me too harshly. but do know this: know that today, at this moment, one less person is turning their back, and one more is stepping out of her comfort zone into the battle that is your life.

goodbye.

2010-01-30T01:46:00.000-08:00

i said goodbye to new york tonight.

goodbye to the lights and to the stages.

to times square and to broadway.

to the place where i belong.

where i’ve always belonged.

tonight i said goodbye to the girl i was before i came.

goodbye to doubt and insecurity.

to holding back and to being scared.

to everything i thought i knew.

because i didn’t know.

i said goodbye to my heart tonight.

goodbye to my soul and the core of my being.

to every word that has flowed from the mouth of the actress in me.

they all live here now, yearning to be retrieved.

i will retrieve them.

tonight i waved to new york.

i waved from the corner of 42^nd and 7^th.

from the entrance to the subway.

from a daughter of grass and space.

to the place where stories live.

goodbye, i said.

and i waved.

and i said hello, again, to my dream.

nyc: day22.

2010-01-30T01:42:00.000-08:00

day twenty-two – the last of this adventure. i chose to spend it alone, and i wouldn’tve had it any other way.

i slept in this morning – by accident, actually – although it felt wonderful. kim stopped by early in the afternoon to pick us up for lunch. the group had decided to eat at the same cubin place we visited the other day. i had already eaten (avocado on wheat thins), so i walked with them to the restaurant and then parted ways.

i’m sure it’s no surprise that i was headed for times square. it’s my favorite place in the city, so naturally i wanted to spend my last day there. i love watching the people rush by and seeing the signs on all of the theaters. i love that i am in such close proximity to such passionate people and their work, and i love that i can see the street sign that says broadway. i am actually – finally – here.

i set up camp in my favorite spot in my favorite starbucks with my favorite drink (venti 6-pump chai) and went to work on my writing. it was so cold outside, but my heart was warm and happy, and i was willing myself not to think of this being the last time – for a long time – that i would be there.

around six, i hurried over to the theater housing rock of ages and dropped my name in the lottery. i was feeling lucky, so i decided to chance it. in the end, i’m glad i did, as i got the very last ticket of the lottery. super stoked, i ducked back into starbucks to wait for the show. i ordered one more tea, coincidentally ending up right beside laura linney, who happened to be in line as well. star-struck for only a moment, i was pleased to learn that she also drinks a venti chai. we chatted for a minute, and i wished her luck in her performance for tonight. no big deal.

(except for it is a big deal.)

anyway, while i waited for the show, i had the most wonderful conversation with my sister – i miss her terribly, and i cannot wait to see her when i get home.

shortly before eight o’clock, armed with my usual peanut mm’s (thanks kim), i walked across the street to the theater. at the door, i was handed not only a program but a small flashlight resembling a cigarette lighter – i had a sense that this was going to be quite the experience.

i was certainly right, but i thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the show. it was so different than anything i had seen thus far, and i didn’t mind a bit. the music was great – not to mention impressively performed – and i even found myself waving my lighter in the air with the rest of the audience.

oh gosh.

after the show, i strolled over to a restaurant called juniors. they are famous for their cheesecake, and i had been waiting until this very night to check it out. i walked in, asked for a table for one, and immediately ordered a piece of the sugar-free cheesecake and a glass of water. i’m sure my waiter, tom, thought i was completely mental, but to be honest, i couldn’t have been enjoying myself any more. i delighted in each bite of my cheesecake, soaking in as much of the city as i could from inside the busy eatery. upon the arrival of a text from jordan (he had seen a show as well, and we had planned on riding back together), i paid my tab, thanked tom, and sidled back onto the street.

i took my time walking to the subway station, even though it was only a few blocks away. i was savoring each step in the same way i had savored my dessert. when i finally reached the subway station, i took a moment to turn around and gaze at the city one last time. the scene brought tears to my eyes, tears that lingered long after i had boarded the subway.

this place has not only changed my life for good, but inspired me in a way i didn’t think was possible. my heart aches at the thought of leaving tomorrow, even though i know i will be here again.

i have fallen in love with the world in you, new york – i can only hope you feel the same. promise you won’t forget me.

i know i’ll never forget you.

nyc: day21.

2010-01-30T01:38:00.000-08:00

hello from the city, friends – it’s lovely to see you again.

day twenty-one started out snowy, but i was nestled cozily in my bed. fortunately, by the time i exited the apartment, most of the snow was melted and the sun had emerged. i was on my way to meet kim for lunch. we had a few options, but ended up deciding on a cute little peruvian restaurant near her apartment. inside, the place was incredibly quaint, and we were two of about four diners, one of whom was seated at the table next to us – beautiful ulla from swedan. she was such a fine, dainty woman with the most charming accent. at the end of the meal we each exchanged information – heck, if we ever go to swedan, maybe we can meet up.

our meal was delicious – kim and i decided to split an appetizer and an entrée. thus, the course began with bit of shrimp enveloped by a sort of spicy mashed potato. this was interesting – the taste was unlike anything i’ve known – good, but different, and the two of us were surprised to find that the dish was served cold. the second portion was vegetarian omelet – asparagus, red peppers, mushrooms, and goat cheese – served with salad, bread and jam, and the best french fries i’ve had. there was absolutely no grease on them – kim thinks maybe they were cooked in water or something.

how cool is that?

then for dessert, we walked down the block to a place called sweet revenge. it supposedly has the best cupcakes in new york, but in my opinion, there’s no question about it. kim had a cup of coffee and the “fleur de something”, which was so amazingly sinful – the thing melted in your mouth – and i chose the “pure”, flavored entirely with mexican vanilla and topped with the tastiest frosting i’ve ever eaten.

and i am an expert on frosting. seriously.

anyway, after we finished eating, we walked a while, browsing, and then parted ways – kim in the direction of a few more shops, and i in the direction of the strand bookstore. on the way, i ducked into a really neat glasses store, made up a random prescription, and in no time, i was trying on designer eye glasses. they were all super cute, but my heart was stolen by a geekish pair of betsy johnsons. the woman helping me was such a good salesperson that i was almost convinced i was nearsighted, and had to dash away before i found myself buying them.

close call, but a definitely a hoot.

i never made it to strand – after the eye glasses incident, i decided to head back to the apartment. i made it there with just enough time to make myself a cup of tea before having to take off again for my last nycares assignment. tonight i was reading bedtime stories at the jenny clarke transitional shelter. my partners turned out to be two of the cutest little black boys – michael and jamal. they were so rambunctious at first, but it only took minutes for them to calm down, michael to pick a book, and jamal to slither onto my lap. the time passed so quickly – in what seemed like minutes it was time to say goodnight.

i drug my tired body to the subway station for the last time that night, and caught the quickest train home. the warm apartment was awfully welcoming – i was happy to finally be there. after a long chat with mariah, and a quick brush of my teeth, i settled down to blog for the night.

tomorrow will be my last day in the city, and i know it will be a bitter-sweet one.

hopefully it favors the latter.

nyc: day20.

2010-01-30T01:26:00.000-08:00

today was another one of the greats, friends – a nice change of pace after yesterday.

i started off by sleeping in a little later than usual, which felt lovely. around eleven i was ready, and after a brief chat with my mom, i boarded the subway for times square. it was my plan to make today a double feature – theatrically speaking – and my first stop was the box office of a view from the bridge. kim had seen it a few days earlier and highly recommended it, and on top of that, it was receiving rave reviews. i didn’t need much more convincing.

upon arrival, i was a little shaken at the size of the line that had already formed. however, most of the individuals were buying tickets for later dates, so i needn’t have been worried. when i got up to the box office, i inquired about the availability of standing room tickets for that afternoon’s performance. the ticket man sized me up, checked his computer screen, and finally asked me how many tickets i intended to purchase.

“it’s just me,” i replied.

“well in that case, i can get you a seat in one of the boxes for $26.50 – it’s the same price as a standing room ticket and a heck of a lot better view.”

he didn’t have to ask me twice. i whipped out some cash and slid it under the window before he could change his mind.

jack. pot. thanks, guy.

feeling joyous, i headed down the street to the rock of ages box office. this new age musical featured not only a fun story line, but music i had grown up with – journey, pat benatar, reo speedwagon, and foreigner – to name just a few. i knew this was something i had to see.

unfortunately, when i arrived in the box office, the woman working (who might’ve taken a lesson from my other box office guy) not-so-nicely informed me that there would be no show that night.

shooty.

i didn’t let myself get too down, though – there were plenty of other shows to see. i finally decided on phantom of the opera, and lucky for me, i was able to get a ticket.

by this time, i had to get back over to a view from the bridge, as it was nearing two o’clock. as the usher showed me to my seat, i said a silent prayer that god would greatly bless the man who had sold me this ticket. it was an absolutely fantastic seat – full view and ample leg room – definitely my kind of theater.

arthur miller’s script was a challenging one, leaving me with questions and open endings right up to the curtain and beyond. in fact, i’m still thinking about it. the show starred two big time actors – liev schreiber and scarlett johannson – and they didn’t disappoint. i was captivated by their performances, especially schreiber. he was one hundred percent invested, and it was such a treat to watch. i was impressed with the rest of the cast as well, particularly jessica hecht, who played schreiber’s wife. during the two hours that the play progressed, i witnessed some genuinely raw moments. it was certainly a privilege to be present.

following the show, i lugged my laptop down the street to my favorite times square starbucks. i caught up on my blogs, sipped a hot tea, and watched the city go by – perfection in an afternoon.

around seven, i packed up my things and walked across the street to sephora – the mecca of make-up. even though i was going to tonight’s show alone, i wanted to do so in style. i walked through the revolving doors, sidled up to one of the make-up stations, and went to work. in five minutes time, i looked like a different girl – well, not different, but better. finally, i was ready for the show.

housed at the majestic theater, phantom of the opera is the longest running musical on broadway. i was excited to see it, as i had only seen the movie, and that was about four years ago. my seat was in the very last row of the mezzanine – comical, because the entire top section and most of the bottom section was empty. our usher – a small asian woman who spoke shrilly in her broken english – told us sympathetically that according to the theater’s policy, we must remain in our ticketed seats until intermission, but were then free to sit wherever there was room. this sounded ok to me, and as soon as the lights came up, i dashed to the seat i had stealthily selected – bottom section of the mezzanine, center of the third row. it was a fantastic seat, and i was proud of myself for not only spotting it, but securing it. all of the others had moved closer as well, but even still, there were so many seats leftover.

it was entirely unfathomable to me, then, that this other usher – a crazy looking woman with frizzy red hair – was running around and chasing people back up to their initial seating area. the place wasn’t even half full! the others protested, repeating what the asian lady usher had told us; however, the frizzy red head would not budge. single-handedly, she managed to move every person back to their original seat.

everyone except me.

i don’t know whether it was because i had moved so quickly – or because i sat in the middle of a group of people – that she didn’t notice me, but i was sure glad she didn’t. i was willing her not to. i just kept praying that the lights would go down already so i could let my breath out.

finally they did, and i was safe. score. big time.

the performance itself was such a delight. i had forgotten how much i once loved the score and the brilliance of andrew lloyd webber. it was like revisiting an old friend. every song brought back a new appreciation, and i felt as if i was being introduced to the musical for the first time. the spectacle of the set was brilliant as well – everything from the falling chandelier to the eerie candlelight of the phantom’s lair. vocally, the production was a pleasure, and it wasn’t until the final curtain that i realized the character of christine was played by an understudy. i would have never known – susan owen was amazing. the show was a lovely experience – i’m so glad i decided to go.

i made it back to the apartment safe and sound and crawled right into bed – a long day, but certainly a success.

‘night everybody.

nyc: day19.

2010-01-28T09:38:00.001-08:00

today began too soon for me – too quickly. i felt like i was forever trying to catch up – like the city was flying past me and i was stuck in place. it was an off day, and i hate that.

i wish i knew why.

anyway, as soon as we were ready, jordan and i took off for times square. we got there around eleven-thirty, and hurried to the theater housing a view from the bridge. kim asked us to pick up a ticket for her, and luckily there were a few left.

our next stop was the time stands still box office. we were lucky there also, and $27 dollars later, walked away with a pair of student rush tickets.

we boarded the subway again, this time for union square. i had a couple of clothing returns to take care of, and there was a dress at forever21 that i had promised myself before going home. after evaluating my previous purchases and the amount left in my bank account, i decided to compromise. i could buy the dress (it was only $25), but at the expense of a few other things. since i laid eyes on it two weeks ago, i hadn’t been able to push the dress from my mind – it was certainly worth a few returns, and i was determined to have it.

the first return was a cute little top from a place called felini’s basement. unfortunately, there was only one woman working the customer service counter, so that return process took what seemed like forever – maybe because there was a woman in front of us that was attempting to return over $400 worth of merchandise, or maybe because the woman working couldn’t have cared less about her job, let alone the meaning of her title.

it could only get better from there.

our next stop was a store right next door called strawberry. i had purchased a bright yellow plaid shirt for only $7. i loved it, but that affection was nothing compared to what i felt for this infamous dress. unfortunately, strawberry doesn’t offer returns on sale items.

“oh, ok.. thanks anyway.”

great.

forever21 was the third stop, and i entered the store with high hopes. those were dashed quickly, as my dress was nowhere to be found – absolutely nowhere. i searched the entire store, my shoulders slumping more and more with each passing minute. i was kicking myself for not buying the dress weeks ago when i’d first seen it.

“it has to be here,” i thought.

nope. sure wasn’t. dumb.

extremely disappointed, i reluctantly gave up the search and left the store. even a joke from jordan couldn’t cheer me up.

our final stop was a shop on canal street where i needed to exchange two pairs of leggings i got about ten days ago. for some unapparent reason, it was very dim back by the legging rack, therefore causing me to purchase dark brown leggings instead of the black ones i had intended.

in my defense, they were really really dark brown.

this endeavor was yet another “bust” – apparently the leggings were also on sale and thus not available for exchange or return. even after my pathetic pleading – “please sir, couldn’t i just put these back on the rack and grab a couple of black ones? i just got confused!” – the stone cold, broken-english-speaking man at the counter refused.

seriously?

feeling absolutely terrible, jordan and i boarded yet another subway – this time to 93^th street for our last sandwich duty. i’m sure it’s no surprise that my heart wasn’t really in it today – however selfish that may be. all i wanted was a gallon of steaming hot chai and a long long nap.

making it back to the apartment at last was a definitely a relief, and i wasted no time in steaming myself some spinach and tucking myself into bed. jordan woke me at six, i threw my rumpled hair into a ponytail, and the two of us made our way over to kim’s. still chilled to the bone from earlier, i gave in to my chai craving, treating myself to a tall-with-an-extra-pump.

mmmm. back to my old self again.

the three of us headed up to broadway together, chatted briefly and then parted ways. jordan and i took our seats in the mezzanine, peanut mm’s in hand (courtesy of kim).

i absolutely loved the show. it was my first broadway straight show, and i’ll be honest, i didn’t miss the music tonight. laura linney was fantastic and alicia silverstone gave an impressive performance as well. i loved the plot, its surprises, and the way it challenged me. the sound design was genius and the transitions flawless – a super super show.

following the production, jordan and i were able to get autographs from all four actors, definitely making up for my lousy day. each was so friendly and genuine – it was such a pleasure to meet them.

i am back at the apartment now, and my eyes are drooping as i close this entry. the prospect of a new day excites and delights me. until then, my friends.

p.s. thanks for sticking with me today, jordan. i love and so cherish you.

nyc: day18.

2010-01-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

hello again. i can hardly believe eighteen days have passed since i began this adventure in the city of my dreams. i have faithfully logged every day’s activities, painstakingly attempting to emit voice and personality to each entry – not so much for my readers, but for myself.

(..although kim tells me i have accumulated quite a following. thank you, everyone, for taking the time to follow my blog. hopefully, i’ll go a lot farther than i am now.)

this day began with a group tour of a place called the fountain house. the fountain house is an establishment that caters to individuals with mental and personality disabilities. it runs entirely on volunteer employment and funding, making available opportunities including education, occupation, and recreation to its members. it really is an incredible place.

following our tour, kim shared with us her favorite – and possibly the best – cuban restaurant in the city. before today, i was a virgin to cubin cuisine; however, now, i am wholeheartedly hooked. our food was absolutely fantastic and one hundred percent authentic. mariah and i decided to split two dishes, which turned out to be a great idea. we were served grilled corn on the cob as an appetizer, covered in parmesan cheese and sprinkled with chili powder. it was a taste that was entirely new to me – one i loved very much. i’m excited to attempt to replicate it back home.

yum.

our next two courses were a grilled lemon chicken quesadilla served with pico, rice, and beans and an assortment of corn and bean tortillas containing melted mozzarella and avocado. we were absolutely delighted and, needless to say, ate every bite.

stuffed to the brim, our group parted ways after the meal – mariah, kim, and myself to another housing works in the neighborhood. this one was fantastic as well, and i ended up having great luck. i found at least ten amazing pieces i would have liked to walk away with – i could only afford two articles.

and yet, these weren’t just any old clothes.

one was a long sweater flecked with specks of color and fringy sleeves. i had been looking for one for months, and this one fit me perfectly. so sold.

the second piece though, was the real kicker – a diamond in the rough, you might say. light olive green and just my size, this was the dress of a life time. not only that, it was an original marc jacobs, initially priced at $430 – the housing works was selling it for $55.

so. definitely. sold.

i mulled over the purchase for approximately three point seven minutes before naming the dress esther and promising her a lovely home. i’m telling you, the housing works it the best thing since starbucks chai tea – not kidding.

walking next door, kim and i discovered that the housing works also has a location that sells books – it was like a used barnes and noble, complete with a coffee shop.

(seriously. since chai tea, right?..)

i could have spent all day there in the books, but unfortunately, we had to say goodbye eventually. i loved the way the place smelled and the way i felt among all those words. i can’t explain it.

while we’re on the subject, i feel i should just mention what a fascination i have with things that have been previously owned. my favorites are books, and obviously, clothes. i love the look of them – the feel of them – and the way they speak to me. they seem to say, “hey..i’ve seen things. i know, but i’m willing to learn. pick me up and you’ll see – let’s go for a ride.”

i think about things like this, like where has this book been? where has it traveled? what does it know that i don’t, and what can i teach it? and this dress…what kinds of adventures has it been on? – first dates, last dates, the interview of a lifetime – maybe someone’s best day ever..maybe their worst.

and then i wonder, “where will the two of us go together? what will we do and what will we see? i want to give this book – or this dress – the best and worst days of my life, so that maybe someone, someday, will wonder about me the way i’m wondering about them. i want this book or dress to know love and exploration – to know me.”

anyway. welcome to the craziness that is my mind. we can always continue this later, if you wish.

i headed back to the apartment then for a little nap and some supper. i had another nycares assignment – this time playing bingo at the jewish nursing home – and i felt like i should be rested for the excitement that awaited me there.

i have never won a game of bingo – ever – and that didn’t change tonight. i came very close – and my partner and new friend, ramona, won a few times – but i guess bingo just isn’t my game.

oh well. let’er buck, i say.

we made it back to the apartment and i fell right into bed. tomorrow is going to be a busy thing, so i must sleep.

sweet dreams, new York, or in the words of ramona, buenos noches, love.

nyc: day17.

2010-01-24T21:28:00.000-08:00

good news, people – my face is almost back to normal. praise the lord.

today started out beautifully. i was awake by nine (thanks mariah) and completely ready by ten thirty. i even had time to pluck my eyebrows – which was badly needed, trust me.

mariah and i had planned on meeting in times square in attempts to get student rush tickets for god of carnage – the 2009 tony winner. that fell through though, as mariah had some errands to run. undaunted, i decided to head up to broadway anyway.

after a rather unsuccessful stop at the god of carnage box office, i decided to try the jersey boys box office instead. however, it was already one-thirty, so my hopes weren't high. as i approached the box office, my spirits dropped even more - i didn't see anyone around.

"maybe there isn't a show today," i thought.

fortunately, i was wrong. the matinee began at three, and the box office lady was super nice. upon my student rush ticket inquiry, she informed me that the theater typically only sells student rush tickets on weeknights, but kindly made an exception for me. i was elated, and gladly handed over my $27.

ticket in hand and spirits high, i made my way down the street to the nearest starbucks. armed with a chai tea, i was determined to catch up on the last few days' blogs. it was such a cozy place to work that my hour there passed in minutes, and before i knew it i was on my way back to the theater.

jersey boys surpassed all expectations and won my heart a thousand times over. frankie valli and the four seasons were a group and style that i had grown up listening to - it was agony not to sing along. i was one hundred percent invested in the entire performance - i think it might be my favorite so far.

seeing a show alone was a new experience in itself. i absolutely loved it. i felt almost as if the rest of the audience didn't exist, and the cast was performing for only me. it was so special - almost like a secret. on top of that, my supposedly "partial view" ticket turned out to be a fantastic seat - i didn't miss a thing.

thanks very much, nice box office lady. you definitely made my day.. maybe even my whole trip.

after the show, i headed back to starbucks for a little more blogging and a smoothie (i packed a granola bar and an orange for supper, so i didn't feel guilty spending a little extra on something to drink). while i was working, i met a couple gentlemen who were professional celebrity photographers. i began visiting with one, who complimented my hair and face and asked if i was an actor or had ever done any modeling. i was flattered, of course, explaining that i was still a student, but hoped to be a professional actor one day. he presented me with his business card and told me that if i ever made it back to new york, he'd love to work with me.

so neat, right? i was practically giddy..

anyway, i said goodbye to my new friends, packed up my laptop, and hurried over to the theater housing elton john's musical, billy elliot. jordan and i had tickets for the seven-thirty performance, and we got there just in time. we were shown to our seats - which happened to be box seats, overlooking the left side of the stage. it was awesome to be in such an intimate setting - there were only two seats in the box - and i especially welcomed the extra leg room.

billy elliot was unlike anything i have ever seen. i loved it. the cast was so incredibly talented, specifically dance-wise, and the set was one of the best i've seen, moving seamlessly into so many different scenes and backgrounds. my favorite character was the dance instructor, mrs. wilkinson. the young boy who played billy was fantastic too, although it did confuse me that he was black while his family was very white and very blonde.

full to the brim of theater and inspiration, jordan and i boarded the subway for home. i put together a tasty little bedtime snack of egg salad and tortilla chips and decided to call it a night.

until tomorrow, nyc. today will be a hard one to top.

nyc: day16.

2010-01-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

a little less swelling on the face front – encouraging, but still not enough.

unfortunately, i could no longer hide in the confines of the apartment today. i had my fourth nycares assignment at the abyssinian house in the bronx – not a lot of blondes there, either.

as my subway ride grew longer and longer, my intimidation grew as i quickly became the minority. that was nothing, though, compared to the streets. i just did my best to keep my head down and stay out of the way – luckily i was wearing a hat.

once i made it to the abyssinian house, my nerves melted away as i met the kids and the other volunteers. the facility is one of transition, housing children until their parents can afford a place of their own. it’s a really neat place, and i bonded right away with a nine-year-old named genesis. we shared a love of reading and writing, so our trip to the neighborhood library was especially fun. unfortunately my face was still very swollen, so i continued with my hourly dose of benadryl. as a result, i struggled to keep my energy up most of the day, welcoming the closing activity.

making it back to the apartment was welcomed as well, and i fell immediately asleep. kim – bless her heart – won the west side story lottery and offered mariah and i the tickets. they were front row-center, and i was very excited.

to be honest, i’ve never really been a fan of west side story, but as i had only seen the movie, i wanted to give the broadway show a fair shot. the actors were wonderful, especially maria and anita, and the choreography was really strong also. unfortunately, the ending is still the same – which i hate – so i can’t say the evening was one hundred percent success.

(sorry, teej.)

following the show, mariah and i boarded the subway back to the apartment, me still feeling a little like a zombie. after a long and lovely conversation with my sister – and another one with tj – i crawled into bed.

blog. set alarm. sleep.

‘night everybody.

nyc: day15.

2010-01-24T20:50:00.000-08:00

oh. my. gosh.

my face is huge. my eyes are swollen shut and my lips are so big that they’re cracking in the corners. it’s obvious that i’ve had an allergic reaction, but to what?

stupid. mango.

man, and it was so good, too! as of last night, mangos were my new favorite fruit. today, however, i detest them. i have spent the entire day in and out of consciousness – as a result of multiple maximum doses of benadryl – frozen spinach on and off of my face, fluctuating between hysteria and extreme self pity.

so much for my free day.

i pray the swelling will go down by tomorrow – i hate hiding from the city.

over and out, new york.

nyc: day14.

2010-01-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

tonight i am writing from my bed, mariah sound asleep beside me, and noah and the whale as my soundtrack. since arriving in the city, i have become somewhat of a night owl, choosing to blog before bed now, as opposed to blogging before the day begins. perhaps i am adopting the ways of this ever awake city.

or maybe i would just rather sleep in.

anyway, day fourteen began early – the earliest, in fact – at 5:55am. jordan, mariah, and myself groggily woke each other and prepared for the day long before the others. julie andrews was guest starring on the view that morning, and we were determined to see her. by 6:45, the three of us, along with kim, were zooming down the street in a bright yellow taxi, headed for the view’s studio. when we arrived outside, there were only three others in line ahead of us – a darling young trio from australia – so our chances were looking pretty positive.

at eight o’clock, the view’s intern, stephanie – a sweet looking girl in a shiny purple coat – greeted the now much longer line and handed out our numbers. she told us to be back at ten o’clock sharp (in the same order) for our admittance. our group definitely welcomed the break – the name game could only distract from our ice cold feet for so long. slowly, we trekked up the block to a diner for breakfast – eggs and toast never tasted so good.

back in the line, we nervously awaited stephanie’s return. when she finally appeared, she apologetically informed us that only the first four would be allowed inside.

i held the fourth ticket.

however, it didn’t belong only to me, as it was only luck that i was the first of our group standing behind the aussies. immediately, i offered my yellow slip to the other three. jordan and mariah declined, but i knew the ticket would mean a lot to kim. it was between the two of us. eventually, we decided kim should have the ticket, and as she rushed in after the aussies, jordan, mariah, and myself walked up the street to find something to do until the next taping. we had another opportunity to be in the audience at eleven, but again there was no guarantee, and sadly, no julie andrews.

we found a couple of neat shops, and hopefully headed back at eleven. unfortunately though, there wasn’t any room, and we were turned away again. a little disappointed, we walked around the neighborhood a while longer just to see what we could find. success came in the form of a fresh produce cart, selling everything from asparagus to avocados. mariah and i each purchased a few goodies before the three of us boarded the subway for home.

the afternoon consisted of a short nap and an avocado on wheat thins. delicious.

later than night, i had another nycares assignment – reading to the elderly at a neighborhood nursing home. i read the giving tree (thanks to kim, for finding a copy for me) and fell in love with an old woman named vera. she suffered slightly from alzheimer’s, but we managed to have a lovely conversation despite her forgetfulness. she has two daughters – although their names escaped her – and two dogs (ironically, she could remember their names). in no time, the two of us were laughing together, and i had a feeling i was enjoying myself just as much as she.

after some quick stops at a few shops, kim and i called it a night. back at the apartment, i washed my face and ate one of the mangos i had purchased from the produce cart. delicious.

good night nyc. see you in the morning.

nyc: day13.

2010-01-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

today was absolutely fantastic. i can’t wait to tell you about it.

this morning i woke up bright and early and met kim at her apartment – we were on a mission to get tickets for a little night music. the box office opened at ten, and we were in line shortly after nine. luckily, we were early enough - we got standing room tickets for a mere $27.

awesome.

our next stop was the minskoff theater for matinee tickets to the lion king. kim taught me the art of eye-lash batting, and we walked out with a couple of fantastic seats.

must be a natural.

(kidding.)

anyway, we had a little spare time before the show, so we went boot shopping. that turned out to be a success for both of us. kim found a couple of great pairs, and after weeks of endless searching, i found replacements to my black suede slouchies. and not only that, they were the only ones left, my size, and exactly the price i budgeted for.

in the words of tj: destiny boots.

(i couldn’t agree more.)

following our super sweet boot purchases, kim and i parted ways – she to have lunch with a former student, and myself back to the minskoff for the show.

the lion king was awe-inspiring. the spectacle was so powerful and the actors’ movement so fluid – i was completely captivated. i loved the creativity of the costumes – as kim said, julie taymore is a genius. as far as characters, the woman playing nala was really impressive – my favorite by far – but timone and pumba were perfect as well. thanks, mom, for encouraging me to see it – i’m so glad i did.

after the show, i headed back to the apartment for a shower and some primping. it was kim’s idea to dress up for the evening show, and after a casual week, i was happy to oblige. haley had a ticket to a show tonight also, so once we were ready, we boarded the subway for times square. i met kim in front of the theater, and peanut mm’s in hand, we took our places against the railing.

before tonight, i was unfamiliar with the music and plot of a little night music. however, within the first few minutes i was in love. every actor was impeccable – vocally speaking – and their harmonies filled the theater effortlessly. catherine zeta-jones is so beautiful – the camera doesn’t do her justice – in person she is absolutely stunning, and i was pleasantly surprised by her performance. angela lansbury was lovely as well. she has such a grace about her, one that can only come from years of experience and a humble heart. you were right, tj, she certainly is the queen.

during the first half of the show, kim was scanning the theater for open seats (those with standing room tickets could take them at intermission). we hit the jackpot, as a couple sitting fifth row-center decided they weren’t particularly enjoying the show. thus, we got their $300 seats.

jack. pot.

after the cast’s stellar performance, i didn’t think the night could get any better. i was wrong. on our way out of the theater, we ran into lily tomlin and chatted briefly before spotting daphne rubin-vega, the original mimi of RENT. we not only introduced ourselves, but kim extended an invitation to south dakota for a possible master class.

keep your fingers crossed – i know i will be.

the two of us topped off the night by sharing the most delicious bread pudding at a dainty little eatery owned my nathan lane and matthew broderick.

could it get any better?

nyc: day12.

2010-01-24T20:41:00.000-08:00

i felt much better today. yesssss.

day twelve began with a much needed organization of my suitcase and personal belongings. every day my bags seem to appear smaller and smaller.

funny..

anyway, when i was finished, jordan, eric, and i headed to kim’s for a quick tour of the chelsea pier and walkway. it was really beautiful down by the water, and the walkway is such an asset to the neighborhood, as well as the city. while on the walkway, kim pointed out the window of an apartment with a tiny balcony below it. she told us that during the summer, the lady who lives there steps out every night to sing opera. and she’s good.

how cool is that?

later that afternoon, the three of us took the subway to 93^rd street where we helped in the sandwich line again. i recognized a few faces, and i think they recognized me. it feels good to be establishing a sort of connection, even if just for a few weeks. hardest on my heart was the point in which we had to turn people away, as there weren’t enough sandwiches for everyone. i couldn’t even look the disappointed faces in the eye. i felt a gnawing growing in my stomach that was similar, i’m sure, to the hungry individuals in that line.

back at the apartment, i grabbed a quick bite to eat before hopping back on the subway. tonight i was headed for inwood public library. my nycares assignment was to read bedtime stories to children while their parents took classes teaching english. kim and i made quick friends with the kids, and before we knew it, there were little ones climbing all over us. all of the children spoke spanish, and the books we read were written in spanish also. triggering all memories of my high school spanish class, i did the best i could, and by the end of the evening, my skills were much improved.

around eight o’clock, kim and i said goodbye to the kids and their parents, and took a stroll around the neighborhood. we stopped into a delightful little bakery – one that kim’s friend and former student, mitch, recommended. the pastries looked delicious, and so were their prices. kim and i each purchased a goody to eat for breakfast the next morning (she chose an apple turnover, while i settled on a giant piece of carrot cake) and decided to sit down and share a piece of strawberry cheesecake – also delicious.

finally, with happy bellies, we began the trek home. definitely bedtime for anne.

goodnight all. i can’t wait to eat my carrot cake tomorrow.

nyc: day11.

2010-01-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

Today I am writing from my bed, unfortunately. It seems the crazy pace of this city is finally taking its toll on my tired body. Thus, I’ve decided to take this day and rest, in attempt to nip my cold in the bud.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Even though I have no daily adventure to report, I still feel it necessary to make day eleven’s blog into something worth reading. Enjoy, friends.

The ten most important lessons I have learned in and from New York City:

1. Maps are important.

2. Bagels are probably the cheapest forms of sustenance, and fortunately, are sold everywhere.

3. Don’t touch the railings in the subway (unless you are wearing gloves).

4. Try not to confuse uptown with downtown.

5. Never be afraid to ask questions.

6. Introduce yourself.

7. Sometimes it’s ok to stand out.

8. Allow yourself to be inspired.

9. Inspire others.

10. Be who you’ve always wanted – this city knows your heart.

nyc: day10.

2010-01-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

happy sunday, new york. i'm so happy to be sharing it with you.

today the group got up early, met kim at her apartment, and headed downtown to mass at st. patrick's cathedral. it was great to be in such a beautiful structure again, after seeing so many in italy. the message was really meaningful, and i felt refreshed and restored in the eyes of the lord as we walked back out onto the busy streets.

hey.. a little bit of that rhymed.

(unintentionally.)

anyway, after mass, we took the subway back uptown and had a lovely brunch at the hudson diner. unfortunately, the temperature had dropped a few degrees while we were inside, and it had also started to rain. luckily, i had a plastic shopping bag to protect my head (mostly my hair), thus making it to the housing works dry and unharmed. as always, i found some amazing pieces there and walked out of the store with a sundress and some michael kors boots.

thank you, jesus.

kim and i spent the afternoon searching for boots for her, and finally, after much deliberation, we found some. we trudged back to her apartment for some tea and a blueberry muffin, and chatted most of the afternoon. eventually, i headed home to charleton for some supper and the golden globes. it was a fun night of bonding for all of us, and after a great heart-to-heart with mariah and a phone call with my mom, i fell right asleep.

sweet dreams and see you tomorrow.

nyc: day9.

2010-01-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

welcome, day nine!

today was warm and sunny – the most beautiful since our arrival in the city – a perfect day for another adventure.

this morning was my first nycares project, and i was nervous and excited. my volunteer opportunitiy took place in harlem, a place in the city where blonde hair is definitely the minority. however, i knew i had a purpose, and so directions in hand, i boarded the subway all by myself. it was my first attempt to venture anywhere in the city alone – not because i was afraid, but because i was convinced i had absolutely no idea where i was going. today though, there was no one to go with me. i was alone, but not really.

you see, maybe this sounds silly, but i felt like the city and i were a team. we were one. for the first time, i felt like a real new yorker – like i belonged. together, we reached my destination – safe and proud, and yet humbled at the same time.

this really is an amazing place.

the same can be said about the children’s zone in harlem. the building is alive with the laughter of children and the adults that love them. the day’s activites began with a short orientation meeting and then we jumped right in. all twenty-five of us spread out in the gymnasium and began introducing ourselves to the kids. almost instantly, i connected with a beautiful little girl named shenique. her skin was the color of smoothest milk chocolate, and she had a smile that lit up the whole room. much to my delight, we decided to be partners. our first activity was a small group story-time, followed by an art project. the kids were to make a collage depicting all those who had influenced their lives for good. shenique was full of ideas, and all bias aside, our collage was one of the best. our day together ended with hugs and a sad goodbye. i pray that someday i can see her again.

back on the subway, i was headed to broadway. there was much on my mind, and i knew where i needed to be. i grabbed a bagel and made my way back to the drama bookshop. after a few hours there, kim joined me, and we read together for a while. i love the way theater can fill up even the emptiest soul, and the way its wise words can calm a restless heart. its power is proven true time and again in my life, and for that i am so grateful.

feeling back to my old self, i returned to the apartment with another venti chai – just for good measure.

goodnight all. i miss you, tj.

the brooklyn bridge.

2010-01-18T11:39:00.000-08:00

mariah and i on the brooklyn bridge, overlooking the beautiful city that has allowed our friendship the opportunity to blossom.

nyc: day8.

2010-01-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

my eighth day in the city was most definitely the best day of my life thus far. here’s why:

kim’s friend michelle’s husband just landed a role in a new musical called leap of faith, based on the movie of the same name. the musical is still in the works, and this morning at eleven, the staged reading took place. attendees included big shot producers, potential contributors, and me.

yes, you read that correctly. i – me, anne wentworth – was there. apparently kim was supposed to go with michelle, but michelle had a meeting that she couldn’t get out of. so kim picked me.

so. awesome.

the thing worked like this: the stage was set with risers and rows of chairs, music stands, and microphones. there was a small pit band tucked on the left side of the stage, and after a brief word of thanks and an introduction from the director, the actors filed onto the stage.

even though it was only a reading, leap of faith was probably the best show i’ll see in nyc. the music was incredible – thank you, alan menkin – and the actors were impeccably selected. leading the cast were the two biggest names on broadway today: raul esparza and sutton foster. needless to say, i was certainly starstruck. during intermission, kim and i talked about the qualities that made those two individuals so successful. i’m learning more and more everyday here, and i fully recognize what an opportunity this is. grateful can’t begin to cover it.

following, the show, kim introduced me to raul, and i introduced myself to sutton. both are absolutely delightful and so talented – i couldn’t have been luckier. i promised myself that as soon as this show was staged, i was flying back to see it – i have to.

after the reading, kim and i grabbed lunch at a cute little diner, and boarded the subway to meet the others at the brooklyn bridge. seeing the city over the water was beautiful – it was fun taking pictures and spending time with the qroup. when we had conquered the bridge, kim and i headed back to her apartment for a quick rest and regroup. the two of us were scheduled to usher at the womens theater project’s production of smudge.

ushering was fun, but i didn’t particularly like the show. it was about a baby born with no extremities and only one eye. i think a good message but a weird portrayal. oh well, i guess you can’t win ‘em all.

until day nine, friends..

nyc: day7.

2010-01-18T11:32:00.000-08:00

it’s official. i have been in new york for one week, and already i have fallen in love. everything about this gritty city enchants me. i am under the spell of its architecture, its pace, and the way i feel being a part of those things.

the day began with a brisk walk to meet kim and her friend michelle in times square. michelle is a long time broadway actress, originating several roles in the span of her career. she was super friendly, and it was great to meet her. following the introduction, the two headed off to get some lunch, and the rest of us split up to begin our own adventures – jon and i in the direction of theaters housing billy elliot, jersey boys, and next to normal. we were on a mission to find out lottery times and student rush pricing. fortunately, we are going to be able to get some good deals.

soon after, we met mariah at foot locker (she finally got her easy-tones!) and hit the drama bookshop. i was in heaven – a tiny, quaint building with any play you can imagine. jordan was already there and had saved me a chair. i left my gloves on the chair to save it, and ran down the block to the nearest starbucks – the only thing that could make the afternoon more perfect was a venti chai latte.

luckily, there is a starbucks every one hundred feet here, so getting my fix was no problem. plus, the man who made me my latte called me sweetheart and told me he liked my hair.

love it here.

i spent almost four hours in the drama bookshop, and could have stayed all night if jon hadn’t come to pick me up. we were on our way to the lottery for next to normal. unfortunately neither of our names were drawn, but we did get a reduced rate for being lottery losers. we were shown to our seats – which were to be fantastic – and just happened to be seated right in front of the director, the man who also directed the original cast of rent.

so. cool.

anyway, the show was incredible. it wasn’t the typical broadway musical, happy songs-happy story-happy ending, but i loved it anyway. the music was fantastic, and most of the actors were part of the original cast. after the show, jon and i waited at the stage door for the actors and were able to get a few signatures on our playbills. it was so surreal! i was a little disappointed in the fact that alice ripley – tony award winner and star of the show – didn’t make an appearance afterward. she did, however, have a small asian woman hand out business cards.

somehow, though, it wasn’t quite the same.

i swore to jon that when i made it big, i would greet my fans after every show – every single one. it wouldn’t matter if i was twenty-seven or seventy-seven. and i promise i will.

after finally making it back to the apartment, i brushed my teeth and hit the sack.

day seven. definitely a success.

nyc: day6.

2010-01-13T20:03:00.000-08:00

hello again.

i am writing tonight from the floor of our fifth story apartment. as a result of our consolidated living space, i will be sharing a single twin mattress with jordan.. also on the floor. tomorrow night i will have a real bed again, though, and i always love jordan's bedtime stories.

today turned out to be another eventful day. after my morning blog at kim's, i headed back to the apartment for lunch. jordan, mariah, and i were determined to cross some assignments off our list today, so we held a noon meeting to decide on the afternoon's itinerary. we decided on a visit to the museum of new york's fashion institute of technology - partly because it looked really interesting and partly because it had free admission.

the museum turned out to be fantastic, with gowns dating from the 1890's to the 2000's. i could have spent hours among the different designs. my favorite was a little black dress from the 1950's - a classic design with a bow cinching the front bodice. very audrey hepburn - love her.

following the museum, the group boarded the subway to canal street for some serious shopping. by six o'clock we were cold and hungry, so we walked up the street to chinatown. we found a buffet than included five entrees for only $4.50, so naturally, we jumped at that. however, the buffet turned out to look exactly the way one might assume a $4.50 buffet would look.

very. sketchy.

still, we were hungry, and so we made do. hopefully nothing bad happens to anyone "digestively speaking" - we only have one bathroom.

back at the apartment, mariah, jordan, eric, and i spent the evening playing cards. mariah taught me how to play kings corner (or "kings on the corner", as my sister used to call it), and i taught eric the art of the game of speed. he was an exceptionally quick learner, and after only 35 games, he beat me fair and square.

well friends, i must close. not only am i exhausted, but mariah's computer is going to die any second.

stop back in tomorrow. i'll be expecting you.

nyc: day5.

2010-01-13T07:56:00.001-08:00

good morning nyc. i think i love you more each day.

as i write, i am parked at kim's desk, sipping peppermint tea out of a martha's vinyard mug and blogging yesterday's adventures. here goes.

my fifth day in the city was another great one. it started with an orange and some yogurt, followed by a brisk walk to kim's apartment. i must say, i was incredibly proud of myself, as i made it there in only ten minutes - all by myself and without getting lost. kudos to me.

we chatted, kim worked, i blogged, and soon we were joined by jordan, jon, and eric. soon after, the four of us headed down the street to the housing works to buy jon some dress shoes and khakis. i found loads of wonderful things as well, but walked out with only one dress. it was a pretty special dress though - L.A.M.B. by gwen stefani. kim picked it out - one look, and i was sold.

our next stop was the strand book store - shelves upon shelves of wholesale books on any imaginable topic. unfortunately, a few of us had a prior engagement, so we couldn't linger too long. however, i promised at lease three shelves that i would return - and you can bet i will.

eric, jordan, and i were now on our way to a church on 92nd street that hands out sandwiches and fruit every tuesday and thursday at four o'clock. yesterday was our turn to help. handing out the sandwiches and greeting the people in line was gratifying and horrifying at the same time. there were so many individuals that i wanted to get to know - to sit down with, to hear their stories. then again, simply seeing these people in need hurt my heart. i wanted to do something more for them, to give them something more substantial. i was armed only with a smile and a handshake, and with everything i could muster, i prayed it was enough.

after our sandwich line duties were completed, jordan and i embarked on yet another adventure. we headed up to times square and broadway to inquire about student rush ticket availability and prices. possessed with a sudden spontaneity, we each purchased a ticket to the new musical memphis. its publicity is everywhere, so we were excited about the prospect of actually seeing it.

with the little time we had before the theater doors opened, we ducked into a restaurant called juniors to warm up and catch a bite to eat. i experienced matzah balls for the first time - which were delicious - while jordan quickly downed a very american cheeseburger. it was certainly the satisfation our cold bodies were craving.

memphis was a bit of a disappointment, to say the least. the set was incredible, and most likely incredibly expensive. the tech. work alone was worth the $26.50. however, the acting and directing choices were sub par. maybe even sub sub par. (is that a word?) anyway, simply seeing the show with jordan made the whole thing worth it - along with the peanut mm's that i snuck into the theater. we danced in our seats to the music and left the theater with a swing in our step.

finally making it back to the apartment was a relief, and after some deal or no deal with jon (which, much to his chagrin, i don't think i'll ever understand), i fell right asleep.

today is turning into a lovely, sunny thing - i think i'll go exploring.

check back to find out what i discover.

nyc: day4.

2010-01-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

my forth day in the city started slowly, but i didn’t mind it that way. around noon, i prepared myself for the day, and jordan and i headed to kim’s to take advantage of her wireless internet. for some reason, everyone else’s computer seems to pick up the wireless signal here at the apartment – everyone’s but mine.

why am i not surprised?

(..name that movie.)

anyway, on the way, jordan and i got incredibly lost, and what should have been a ten minute walk turned into one that lasted almost an hour. however all was not lost, as it was a beautiful crisp day, and we found a tiny pastry shop called the donut pub that seemed to be calling our names. jordan chose a crème filled donut with chocolate frosting, and i treated myself to a deliciously moist, sugar-free blueberry muffin.

when we finally made it to kim’s, we lounged, chatted, and blogged for most of the afternoon. she treated us to coffee and fresh cookies, and i also got a taste of real indian tapioca. its orange, and unfortunately does not taste like the kind my grandma bea makes.

eventually, we headed back to the apartment for a bite to eat and a hairspray-the-musical jam session.

super refreshing – not to mention a ton of fun.

at six o’clock that night, we had an orientation meeting for new york cares, our volunteer organization for the month of january. the meeting was really motivational – i’m excited about the opportunities we have to serve the nyc community. hopefully i can start as soon as possible.

the evening ended with some much needed budgeting and a phone call with my mom – love her.

ps. my sister got a boyfriend. :)

nyc: day3.

2010-01-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

day three turned out to be refreshing and relaxing.

after my morning blog, i leisurely prepared myself for the day. i grabbed a bagel and hit the streets with jordan and haley, delivering pamphlets for the women's theater project. we are all taking turns ushering for their upcoming show, smudge, so we'll be able to see it for free.

even with haley's beautifully lamenated map, we had an extremely difficult time finding all of the delivery spots. eventually we did, also having time to stop in a few soho shops. cute stuff, but my mission is boots, and unfortunately yesterday was not my day to find any.

the highlight of the afternoon was 99cent pizza. here's what happens: you stand on the street corner in front of a tiny, very dirty pizza stand (dollar in your hand, purse under your coat) and wait for the pizza to come out of the oven (at this point, a line is swiftly forming). once the pizza is finished, it is taken out of the oven on a long wooden paddle and placed below the counter on a tray to be sliced. then, one by one each person in line is asked exactly how many slices they intend to buy. you answer politely, hand them your money, receive your pizza (parmesan and garlic salt are available, as well as extra toppings for 50cents extra), and make your way quickly to the other side of the street.

it's a process, but 99cent pizza is definitely worth the whole dollar.

definitely.

anyway, after our afternoon snack, the three of us trekked back to the apartment to rest and warm up a little. i ate a rice cake and fixed our toilet - no big deal. then mariah, haley, jordan, and i headed uptown for some more shopping - fun, but exhausting.

finally arriving back at the apartment for the last time, i got ready for bed and watched the end of the wedding planner with haley. jennifer lopez is one of the top ten worst actresses ever, but fortunately one of the top five most enjoyable to make fun of.

haley and i ended the night making patti lupone impressions that probably severely annoyed our neighbors.. but what the heck. you can't blame theater majors for being loud and dramatic.

until my next entry, friends..

my adventure's metaphor.

2010-01-10T07:34:00.000-08:00

this basically sums everything up for me.

i found this tile on a fence of hundreds made by elementary students to commemorate the tragedy of 9-11. i loved the color and contrast of the photo, but most importantly its message.

i love NY too.

nyc: day2.

2010-01-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

having just woken up, i am lying in bed alongside a sleeping haley, in a tiny little apartment in the west villiage of new york city, blogging on yesterday’s adventures. at this moment, nothing could be better.

you know that old saying, “today is the first day of the rest of my life”? if you didn’t, now you do. and if you do, this quotation perfectly illustrates my second day in the city.

to be honest, the day really didn’t start out as swell as i had hoped. after having stayed up until three a.m. setting up my blog, i slept horribly. i tossed and turned with nightmares of missing my alarm, not calling the bag man on time, and forever losing my luggage to the hands of united airlines. as a result, i was awake shortly after six. unfortunately, so was my roommate jordan, as our room is entirely too small for one to move about inconspicuously. (i apologized for waking him so early – and naturally he was super sweet about it – but i knew i was most definitely being a pest.)

anyway, the bag man finally came, and i met him at the door. i’ve never been so happy to see a tiny indonesian fellow behind the wheel of a minivan.

we were scheduled to switch apartments yesterday, so after we had packed up all our things and left them by the door for the movers, we headed to kim’s apartment to pick her up. we were on our way to the lottery for the ragtime revival. we barely made it for the drawing, and even with our specialized and perfected “crumple-then-fold” technique, none of our names were drawn. we did get a reduced price though – for participating in the lottery – and luckily, there were enough seats for the whole group.

as we were taking our seats in the very last row of the very top balcony, my stomach was in knots – partly because i was actually, finally here on broadway; a place i have waited my entire life to experience – and partly because i was terrified of the possibility of tripping and plummeting to my death.

ragtime itself was incredible. it was everything i imagined a real broadway show to be. i laughed and cried and cried harder. i was so inspired by each individual’s performance that i thought my body would burst with emotion. however, it wasn’t until the curtain call that i had my first real catharsis of nyc. when mamie parris beautifully and gracefully accepted the audience’s adoration and applause, i was suddenly overcome with tears. i thought about my dream of becoming a broadway actress – one that i’ve had all my life. there i was, sitting in the very back – the farthest back – of this breathtaking broadway theater, when all i wanted was to be onstage.

“i bet they all started out this way,” i mused, and my resolution became even stronger. i promised myself for what seemed like the hundredth time that i would see my dream to its finish. and i know i will.

after the show, we were met at the stage door by mike mcgowan, ragtime performer, sioux falls native, and friend of kim. he took us backstage and explained a few of the show’s technicalities. just when i thought the day couldn’t get any better, here i was standing on a broadway stage – a real, actual broadway stage. i couln’t believe it. and on top of that, i was standing on a stage where not only ragtime’s cast performed, but where hundreds of other broadway casts had performed, and where individuals just like me had made their debuts. needless to say, i was awestruck. then mike introduced us to “q”, the star of the show, who was unbelievably gracious and kind (and much shorter than i had expected) – kim says he’ll win a tony for sure. i hope he does.

finally, we headed back in the direction of our apartment, first making a pit stop at a grocery store for provisions.

i had applesauce and rice cakes for supper. delicious.

too tired to blog, i fell into bed shortly after eight o’clock, and got my first good-night’s-sleep since arriving in the city. i feel wonderfully refreshed this morning and no doubt ready to embark on another adventure.

check back to see how the day ensues.

nyc: day1.

2010-01-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

so. today has been incredible and incredibly stressful. i got into nyc today on a delayed flight and met my beautiful and talented, best friend haley at the airport. i was so happy to see her - missing haley is like missing your lucky underwear. you just never feel great without them.

anyway. as soon as we got past the hugs and "i miss you's", we headed for the baggage claim. my bag was inevitably not on the rotating belt, and therefore we had to go to the baggage office to claim it. however, it was not there either, and so i had to file some sort of claim - being assured that it was to arrive "sometime before 10:30pm".

great.

undaunted by the first real mishap of the day, we headed to a newstand in the airport to by my month-long metro pass, and immediately following - pass in hand - we boarded the bus headed for the subway. when we reached the subway, we boarded, rode, and talked a mile a minute. i told haley of my adventures in italy and she told me of hers in sioux falls. by the time we got to the apartment, over an hour had passed, and we dropped my bag and headed right away to a thai restaurant to meet the others for supper. on the way, haley and i walked right past phillip seymour hoffman. i totally did a double take, but tried not to - i love his work. i had been in new york less than two hours and had already seen one of my favorite actors.

unfortunately the thai restaurant was closed, but we found a noodle place nearby that was amazing and inexpensive, so we decided to eat there.

when we were finished eating, the group split up - some going to get show tickets, a few headed to the moma, and my group to "the housing works" - a second hand shop in kim's neighborhood. i had heard about the shop many times from kim, so i was super excited to see it. it was much smaller than i expected, but definitely didn't disappoint as i walked out with two designer dresses for about fifteen dollars each.

the shows we wanted to see were sold out, so while kim caught a different show, the rest of us went to the moma art gallery. it was free night, so it was packed, but the art inside was breathtaking. my favorite was the tim burton display and the work of picasso.

eventually we made our way back to the apartment. i was exhausted and made a grand effort to stay awake for the supposed "delivery" of my bags. however, i barely made it passed nine o'clock. apparently the bag man came shortly after 10:30 (even though at the airport i was assured that it would be no later than 10:30), and being so tired, i didn't hear the call. instead of just dropping the bag off at the apartment- where there were at least four people awake to answer the door - he simply drove back to the airport.

again, great. i desperately need warmer clothes for tomorrow. and clean underwear.

my strategy is to call first thing in the morning and beg them to bring it back. i will use every and any tactic i have ever learned.

i'll let you know how it goes.