NY-MD-CA

I wake up at 5:00. I didn't sleep very well and kept having dreams I missed my train...which would turn out to be half true...

On the most humid and warm day of all I am forced to wear my jeans because they did not fit in my suitcase. I mean it is really humid the Boston humid. Eyes burning and sweating at 6 am I was off to Penn Station. I eventually found it and didn't really get all that lost but the fact that I was tired and hot made me a lot less censored than usual. I wanted Jamba Juice and it was closed...that pissed me off.

I found the station get to Amtrak and found out the my train was already boarding. With a 50 pound backpack on my back I trucked down to my train...and in Europe it was like assigned but of course it isn't here and I didn't know that so I am scrambling searching for my seat and no one is there to help you. Foreign people are asking me where to go and I'm like FUCK IT! I'm getting on this train and I don't care where I am sitting. 

I guess it really didn't matter. and I was off to Aberdeen MD...sounds promising don't you think?

2 hours later I get there and I had one of those "this is it?" moments where we ended up at like a dirt road and a tiny train station the size of like two school portables with no one there. I call a taxi and wait a while. I see some taxi's around the corner occupied by what looked like hungover homeless people literally asleep with burning ciggs in their mouths. When I asked if they were here to get me they just didn't even look at me...and drove away.

WELCOME TO ABERDEEN

My Taxi finally arrived with 8 soldiers in tow. Now I say soldiers because they were not Marines but Army Folk. they look at me like I was crazy with my pillow, my pink suitcase and gigantic backpack. Needless to say I was embarrassed. They all asked what the hell I was doing here in Aberdeen when I told him I was from CA. It shocked them that I wasn't a girlfriend or a wife but a sister. That's sad...I hope other sisters visit there brothers...but I guess it's not that common. After reaching APG Aberdeen and all the searching and stuff. I met Neal outside his living area. AHHH! It was so cool to see him again! He took my stuff up so I wouldn't have to lug it around town all day. I hung out with him and two of his friends one of which was his roommates but both in the same class and Marines. I didn't realize what a big deal it was, The difference between the marines and army, especially when they are sharing a base, lot's of hostility, I guess you can't walk a lone at night in fear that 8 army would gang up on one marine and really hurt him. Makes me mad, that's what I say.

So I went to a tattoo house so his friends could get some more. I mean they already had like 5 which i admired because 1 is enough for me right now...it just hurts. Neal then informed me this is where he got his and he showed me his newest addition which was MY Hebrew name on in shoulder. ( I posted pics on facebook, check em out) He will be adding onto it some kind of tree of life or burning bush thing but he didn't have the money then for it. Neal then informed me that it was the "second best tattoo place in all of Maryland..." which sounds promising right? Okay this place was Ghetto. Don't go there...I mean they got like paper towels to cover it...they don't tell you how to take care of it properly and don't even give you free tattoo goo. It was ridiculous how much the overpriced....So if any of you are going to Maryland, don't get tattoo's there I wouldn't really trust it. 

Neal and I went to Wendy's and Dunkin Donuts for lunch....as he told me about all of his time on base. Sounded like he was having an amazing time even though he really missed Amanda. And I don't know if it's appropriate to blog about but he told me all about his wedding plans and that him and Amanda were getting married a lot sooner than I ever thought. Usually people would be like NO...WAIT....but when your a Marine and your GF is a Marine...I mean after all your training and you deployment...even before, you basically know what the rest of your life is gonna be. so it sounded just fine to me.

After spending some time off base it was time to head back and get to see some parts of base. It was really small and kinda like a movie. I saw the rec center which was nothing compared to Pendleton but it was nice to see Neal enjoying a pool table with a few friends.

It was time for me to go soon and Neal and friends were heading down to a strip club in Baltimore, where I was told to come a long and ride with Craig and he would drop me off at the train station.

So I get in this Craig's Car with a man named Craig and 12 other Marines excited for a night out. Craig had a few rules...

1. His name was Craig not sir

2. If your gonna puke let me know

3. no pistachios ( cuz the

y make a mess)

4. he is a driver not a DJ

I think there were some more but that's all I could remember. I got dropped off at the train station with another Marine that was going to DC named Kyle. Kyle was funny but a little but awkward not gonna lie. I said bye to Neal, I know I will see him in a month as he is pretty sure he is getting stationed West Coast :)

I was there an hour and half early for my train. and sat down organizing this and that. There were a few drunken black people on the left of me and on the right was Kyle. No one else was at this station...no attendants no nothing.

After finding out that the train before me was an hour late...i was worried that mine would be too making me miss my flight which I was NOT about to do. So I called my mom on what battery was left in my phone to have her check for me when my train. 

Then I find out that my train ticket I purchased was for the previous Thursday...wtf...I guess I was too tired when I made the reservations. SO my mom within in the next 5 minutes before the next train was coming fixed everything and got me on the next train! Oh did I mention while I was waiting for this train what seemed to be a "friends" like the show...but black and drunk were all yelling at each other when Charles...came up to me and sat with me and talked to me, he was soo drunk it wasn't real...I thought I was gonna get robbed or something as I prayed that my train was coming and it did. As I got up Charles followed me and told me that he wished we could spend more time together...FML...

So I get on this train and all the people running it are not helpful and are treating me like a delinquent because they thought I didn't pay for a ticket and when i tried to explain my situation they just kept talking telling me that they were trying to help me! but I knew that! and I was trying to help them! but it didn't work...GET ME OFF THIS TRAIN...

Eventually I get off...get lost trying to find a shuttle...do find a shuttle get to Air Tran and get in a huge line...By this time I am so uncensored that I am saying things like " is this real?...can you please hurry up? what the hell? AHHHH!" By the time I get through all this security I'm like SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME DORITOS! and so I buy some even though I'm pretty sure  Piper would kill me..( my trainer...) and eat them right before I get on this tiny ass plane with a tiny ass eleven year old who used phrases like "when I was little..." YOU ARE STILL LITTLE

Never the less he was kinda cute and reminded me of a really skinny version of the kid in Stuart little. His name was Issak and he told me all about Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter and what he wanted out of the Sky Mall Catalogue. 

I couldn't sleep...middle seat...I HATE THE MIDDLE SEAT...okay that being said. My sinuses were aching my throat dry...dehydration...hunger...it small and humid spaced...crying children...5 hours.

It really wasn't that bad...just kinda bad.

You get what you pay for.

 

I landed and was so over standing with that backpack on that I waited for everyone to get off the plan so I didn't have to be more irritated by standing a waiting. I finally get off the plane and meet mom down at the baggage claim...or baggage wait...

I guess the power had shut down and Air Trans had to carry our baggage by hand to the claim which made me sad being the sympathetic Scorpio I am.

2 hours later we got our baggage...thanks mom for waiting while I slept on the floor of the airport!

And I got in the car and was HOMEWARD BOUND.

It's nice to be home...but never did I think it would be warmer here than over there. 

I woke up today around 12:30 feeling like crap but knew I had to get a lot done. After all I start my workouts, Camp Curtain Call and West Side Story tomorrow! 

I posted some pictures on facebook of my trip so check those out. There aren't really a lot because I didn't want to look too touristy taking pictures all the time. hahaha

This adventure I will never forget...partly because it was crazy partly because it's on this blog.

 I didn't really use the encounter...but it came in handy here and there...

The last three entries aren't very edited...I'm too tired.

I guess the theme of this all is... Do shit alone

          Do shit with other people

You can bring Jeans to New York in July

        You Get what you Pay for

Amen

Friday!

My last day in the city!

At 5:45am my alarm clock rings. It is time to get in line for Next to Normal tickets. I am back in the game of Ryan and know that they only way that I going to even think about getting tickets is if I leave the house around 6:15. So I do and get there at 6:45. My heart races when I see other people outside already waiting!! WTF! I am 3 and a 1/2 hours early before the box office opens! How is this possible!!! But turns out I am not the only person with good ideas or that knows how to play the game. 

I plop myself on the ground next to some 13 year old girls from the city that have already seen it and are like obsessed and have t-shirts and shit. On the other side of me in a NYU student...jaded, infected piercings, and a Starbucks in hand named...Marvin.  I made friends with both and went on to reading some Shanely. 

I found out that the first people there had gotten there at 5:30am...that's just not right.

After a long three hours, it hitting around 80 by 8:00 the box office opens at 10am. I am number 11 in line and there are 26 tickets! I AM GETTING TICKETS! I COULDN'T believe it! I mean after waiting all this time, multiple times I would be getting to see Next to Normal!! 

Tickets in hand I felt like a million bucks! so I spent some at Juniors Restaurant next door. I sat at the bar and got an omelet. Go THERE! I know it's a little pricey but it really was the best food I ate in NY. Good Service. You get what you pay for!

I headed back to Zach's around 11. Slept till 3 and chilled till like 5:45 I didn't really feel like wandering around the city anymore. Parts of me were like "Your in NY!" and other parts were like " Your Exhausted" I listened to the second part of me and waited for Zach to come home.

We then went to get some $1 pizza that was actually a dollar and tasted like more. Went to Pinkberry...Zach's favorite....and went to Next to Normal

Next to Normal...

GO SEE IT! I mean like it was more than anything I expected. I don't even know what to say about it except for I know why people get there at 5:30 in the morning so they are guaranteed in to this piece of genius! OMG. Everyone in it was spectacular. Alice Ripely=Larger than life! The show exceeded all my expectations. The sound and lighting was awesome and the set was creative and brilliant. I would spend more than 3o dollars to see this show. GO NOW! Just GO! The CD doesn't even do it justice. GO

Then it rained. NICE

And It was time to go to sleep because I needed to get up at 5am to get on a train to Maryland.

it was already 12:15 when I was done packing which meant little sleep, oh well...

Thursday delayed

So it has come to an end.

I am sorry I haven't written since Wednesday. I hope you are all enjoying this blog and that you watched the 16 minute video. Please let me know if it has sound, because my mom swears it doesn't but I check and it does. Wondering if it's just working on my computer.

So as I listen to Thomas Newman soundtracks I will write about my last three days in NY/Maryland.

Thursday:

I know I said I was going to get up really early to get Next to Normal tickets but I was just not having it that morning, plus Zach wouldn't be able to go since Ryan him Mel and Ben were all seeing The Daughters, a one night engagement that I heard was fabulous and defied the ability of all woman vocal cords. Sounds cool but I really wanted to see Our Town...I know it's Our Town but maybe this production would be good. It was off-Broadway after all and it was getting wonderful reviews. 

So I woke up pretty late Thursday intending on visiting Central Park, and Zach and Serendipity. I have never been to Serendipity because I have never gotten the chance really, even though it's like the most touristy place ever. So I went and got to sit at this awkward single person table right next to wear Zach cleared plates and poured people water ( those people including me) it was nice to waited on by such attractive people. There must be some kind of rule at Serendipity that you must be extremely homosexual and attractive to be a waiter. Zach is just one of those so he is a bus boy. 

After I tried the Monet salad which was AMAZING i mean it was like this fruit beautiful lettuce vinaigrette thing that was just to die for. I will definitely serve something like that when I get married. I then debated between this forbidden Broadway dessert or a frozen hot chocolate but went with the FHC because I've never had one and you don't go there and not get one. $30 dollars and a full stomach later I was off to Central Park to get lost some more.

Of course I did get lost but it was pretty. I eventually called Benno and we chilled for a few seconds before he had some where else to be. I didn't really so I sat on a bench and tried to read...but guess what??....I fell asleep...shocking. It was peaceful.

I then got up a couple of hours later and found my way out WITHOUT GETTING LOST! I even got on the Subway and made it back to the house without having to swipe my Metro card twice or backtrack :)

I caused a little drama trying to get into Zach and Ryan's house without a key or them, but good thing Ryan came to save me :) I always felt awkward with that security card since.

I then was off to see Our Town and was successful at getting tickets this time despite the terrible people in the Barrow Street Theatre Management. I then had a couple of hours to kill and decided to go to Starbucks with Amanda Brown! It was soo good to see her and quickly get me something to eat that didn't cost me 25 dollars :)

I only had a couple of minutes really so our visit was short but sweet.

I then went into Our Town and it was fantastic. Best Our Town I've ever seen. It was set in more modern times regarding the costumes and dialect but the language was still the same. Nothing was missed and for the first time I wasn't all confused, I actually cared about Emily and could relate to the piece. It was endearing and honest I advise all New York people and theatre people visiting to take some time to go see it!

I found my way back and stayed up late of course, going to Washington Square Park with Mel Ryan Ben and Zach to have Ryan and Zach play some music while we just sat and talked about the affects of acupuncture, music, and why Ryan should take singing lessons.

A very nice and slow day for New York. I am very appreciative of the amount of time I am taking in NY, I love not rushing. It's worth all it costs.

Sheila is a Bitch

This is my video blog in substitution for a written blog:

http://www.vimeo.com/5630715

Love,

Rachael :)

The Ryan Game

I know I know...I haven't posted the video blog yet...but as I watch this Joel Gray interview the 16 minute video titled Sheila is a Bitch is posting on you tube and then I will connect it to this bloggy.

But for yesterday there is a lot to be said. YOU MUST PLAY THE GAME. What I like to call the Ryan game. I'm sure everyone else in NY ( mostly students ) play this game. I guess you could say I started late...but better late than never.

I woke up probably around 9 because really we do not go to sleep. I quickly got ready and left Z and R's around 10:30 to get the the Hair Theatre by 11. That would give me time to enter the Lottery in hope I would get one of the 28 tickets available. At first I was excited because there weren't that many people in the Lottery "line" but as time grew so did the amount of students just like me who thought they had just as good of chance as me...which was true...it is a lottery. 

So I immediatley went to the box office asking about the standing room line that Ryan told me to get in. Turns out there isn't one and that they start selling standing room at 10am! Luckily they had some tickets left...and I thought twice because I would rather sit...but desperate times call for desperate measure and I bought the $25 standing room ticket. I wait for the Lottery to be called just in case I might be able to sell my standing room...and I don't get called. Thank GOD that I bought that standing room...I would have cried. Anyways so I had 2 hours to kill and thought...wow I really like that Dunkin Donut stuff so I put it in my blackberry and find one on 9th...I still don't know the city that well so of course I start walking in the wrong direction for 30 minutes...but I eventually figure it out...turn around and find DD...I was surprised that I didn't get lost for longer. After my Coolatta...which you should get one day it's like the way better version of Frappachino's ( that I don't like). Tastes more like coffee instead of some milk sugar thingy. I then still have time to kill so I sit in front of the Theatre accidently falling asleep again...I really should work on this it could get a lot of stuff stolen from me. I wake up maybe after 5 minutes and decide to start standing...and I am glad I did! Because I saw someone I thought I knew...and I DID! It was AMANDA JENNY a good friend and partner of mine at Boston Conservatory Summer Dance 07'. I haven't seen her for 2 years and here she was! I can't believe that she happened to be leaving Broadway Dance Center...the same time I was just hanging outside the theatre. We quickly caught up but of course she had somewhere to be and so did I, but I was so happy to see her, hopefully I'll come visit Boston next year to see her again. I then enter the Theatre about an hour later and stand in the center back of the Theatre. Standing room was actually amazing! I would suggest it to anyone except people in wheel chairs. I know it's like "standing..." but I really didn't notice because the show is so alive and fantastic it really isn't a bother...you don't really think about standing. HAIR...OMG...really GO SEE IT! I have been changed! It was everything you could want and more! The actors are fantastic the scenic design, lighting design and sound are perfect! please don't miss this...

I met some cool people sitting next to me that told me about stuff to do in the city. I love it when people tell me stuff I should do the second I tell them I am from CA. I always end up saying " Oh YA! that sounds cool!...I will def check that out" when I def won't just cuz it's mostly things like "GO look at the Empire State Building..." but it's nice of them to offer I never learned their names either...hope they have a nice life. 

Right after Hair I played the next part of the game...which was get in line for Standing Room for God of Carnage 3 hours in advance. There were people already there!!! I made good conversation with the woman next to me...I know so much about her, her daughter, her favorite shows and foods BUT I DON'T KNOW HER NAME!!!! I don't know if I can do this anymore...hahaha. This show is also to not be missed! I am inspired by the actors and their stamina. Don't ask me which show I liked more...you might not like the answer. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go see this show. Ryan thinks they will make a movie...but it will be a little bit of a short movie...it does only take place in one room. OOOPS! and I forgot to say...So I was standing in the back for standing room, which was even better than the standing room in hair, and a very VERY tall man approached me asking if I wanted to take his seat in the center of the orcheastra...I mean we are talking $230 tickets for FREE! at first I thought it was a joke...how could something so good happen to me??? I thought I was destined to just get by on this whole seeing shows thing. I mean I did only pay $26. So of course I say yes and he goes on to tell me that he is way to tall for the seats and that this happens all the time and "it's Christmas in July for ME!" I thanked him so much! and headed down to my new seat. The game has it's rewards...

After the show I was so hiper and happy that I decided just to go in the M&M store for no real reason...I didn't buy anything. I then was like...I want to by Ryan some Reese's because this I had won the game! and it was all thanks to him. So I bought some candy and headed home with my head high. 

Then it was time to attempt to make a video blog of the day before because it was just so perfect that all that happened and then all this.

CHECK IT OUT! It will be up asap...most likely after this! WATCH THE WHOLE THING...Shiela basically screws most of it up...that's why it is so long.

ps...forgive the spelling...I am sick of waiting for spell check to work.

Off to Serendipity and Central Park to read :) tut tut it looks like rain.

ALone

OH WOW!

Well...after getting to sleep around 3am, my alarm goes off at 8:30. It was time to get up and out and attempt to get Next to Normal tickets when the box office opened at 10. Zach walked me to the subway platform and I was off...alone. Luckily I found the theatre really easily...shocking! But they had sold out of tickets. We will be going back tomorrow at 9 instead of ten...or rather later this morning now that I look at the NY clock. I then decided to be stubborn and not return back to Z and R's because I thought it would be a better idea to find Battery Park and the National Museum of Jewish Heritage right away instead of doing the other things first that Ryan wrote for me in a specific order that would get be there in a good amount of time to be able to do it all. I am really stubborn and optimistic when it comes to what I am capable of and decide to forgo the OG plans and try and do it on my own. 

Keep in mind I know NOTHING about the subway station. I KNEW I was going to get lost. And I did...

At first I ended up some place I knew I didn't want to be... So I get back on the subway, having to swipe my card and charge it again...I had to do that more than once today.So I end up getting a on the nearest train hoping it would send me to Bowling Green when I knew it probably wouldn't. It then took me to Bleeker, where I walked down the whole way about 30 blocks and realized an hour and half later that this must be wrong. Somehow I ended up on 5th ave and walked all the way back up that to Madison Square Park...I say all the way up because it seemed like forever in my stupid too small steve madden flats that were giving me intense foot pain and blisters EEEEEK! I see the Shake Shack that Melissa told me to go to and I figure... WHY NOT? so I wait in the famous line that is suppose to be really long but it only look me about 25 minutes to order. I guess that is unusual though. I went around 12 so some people were out for lunch but not too many. I then walked myself around the beautiful park and ended up by the dog park to put up my feet, enjoy my shake and watch some dogs.

Dogs in NY are different then dogs in CA. They are a lot more playful and have funky personalities. Take Rosco for instance. While I was listening to all the convo's around me I found out a lot about Rosco. I could tell that his owner usually brought Rosco to this dog park because Rosco knew all of the other dogs and all the other owners knew each other too. I use to think that New York is a little bit like college your freshman year. You walk around and you know a few people but most of the people you see once and you never see again. I guess not true unless only people with dogs are really friendly and tell each other intimate things about their lives. I did a lot of that today. Sit and listen to other people conversations or make up stories about people walking by. After a couple of hours, after accidentally falling asleep on a bench...I decide to start walking to find the National Museum of Jewish Heritage. I was on a mission. It's around 1:30 now and I need to find Battery park before it gets too late.

So I call Matt Stillo, a good friend of mine who attends NYU and knows the city to tell me how to get there. After a few failed directions he realizes the subway station I need to get on is on Park and so I get on this subway station MAGICALLY don't get lost on my way to bowling green and WOOT! I am in Battery Park. My feet are aching terribly by this time...my tattoo feels like it could be bleeding, they are dirty and swollen and I might actually be limping. So I take a seat and watch some street performers, not gonna lie...they are better in Boston...but that's okay. It's around 2:30 now and I think it's about time to find this museum and I do! Okay now I know what you all are thinking about now...Battery Park? isn't that like really touristy? and I guess it was but it's defiantly worth checking out, I had never been in the summer and it is gorgeous so green and the view of the statue of liberty is not to be missed. The museum of Jews should be considered by all people not just the Jewish ones.

I walked into the museum, very heavy doors but nice people. I seemed to be the only other person in this museum  which was actually nice. I definitely suggest attending on a week day afternoon. It is really calm and you get more time with each exhibit and artifact. The ticket was 7 dollars to enter at the time I went but I heard that there are times and hours during the week in which it is free. I added a audio tour for 5 dollars putting me at a 12 dollar balance, but it was totally worth it! I put on the head phones and MERYL STREEP AND YITZCHAK PEARLMAN were the guides. A lot of the museum was concentrated on the Holocaust but there were parts about culture, Jewish life style then and now. It focused a lot about the perseverance of the Jewish people and rich culture. It explained a lot about tradition and the artifacts were really interesting, having pieces even dated back to the time were Jews were in Egypt. I learned a lot about Judaism in the 3 and 1/2 hours I was there. A lot of things I never knew before and I would say I know a lot about being Jewish...being Jewish and all...Chabad...Hebrew School...and family.  I would get the audio tour too, it was really informational and entertaining to listen to, it added a lot to the whole experience. My favorite part of the trip was the children that were at the museum with their parents. I watched one parent as she explained the pictures of German propaganda and why it is terrible. It made me happy to know that parents are telling kids about this catastrophic event, just like mine did for me, I am forever grateful that I am educated about prejudice and am able to point it out and take a stand. I love that museums like this turn on the passion by giving evidence, sometimes it takes the picture and interviews to do that. I wish I did have more time though. I almost got to the end when I was told I only had five minutes left. So go when you have as much time as you need to take in these peoples stories. It wasn't bad alone at all either, in fact I preferred to be alone, there really was no need for conversation and going at your own pace is really important in a museum with this type of material.

I found my way back to Zach and Ryan's apartment easily because I basically knew a whole lot about the streets as of 6 o clock. I was in desperate need of a little sleep so that's what I did.
When I woke up me Ryan, Zach and Melissa went to Ryan's favorite restaurant SPICE( Thai food). It was delicious and reasonably priced. I got the black noodle dish and it was fantastic. However, I think it would be a good idea to get two different types of dishes and split with a partner...So go with other people who like Thai food :) after we visited Insomnia where we were hoping to get some Ice-cream sandwich cookies things but they had run out of ice cream so visit earlier! The cookies were wonderful...like Mrs. Fields but better they tasted a little fresher. We headed over to Washington Square Park where some student musicians were playing in huddles and cute couples were dancing. It was the perfect end to an interesting day.  

The weather has really been perfect, not to hot or cold and not all that humid...very pleasant.

After a quick trip to Melissa's to finish, really finish the night we came back...I attempted to blog but was far too exhausted to write...So here I am now halfway down with day 3...which I'll write about later. I still haven't seen any shows! but I donated 20 dollars to a Gay rights organization on the street.

I'm gonna watch Atonement.

P.S. this was my horoscope for the day...WOAH...I love this stuff.

Your Scorpio horoscope for July 13th--

We often say we can’t try new things…the kids, work, overtime, prior arrangements – that’s the much loved TV program bit or just because it's easier to stick with our basic routines. Yet if ever there was a day to challenge any inclination you may have to turn down exciting possibilities or to go beyond your comfort zone, then today would be it.

Don't count the hours you sleep just the coffee's you drink

I would first like to start off with a little thing a realized while I was sitting at the Norris 1oth Anniversary Gala yesterday night. After I had totally embarrassed myself crying my eyes out while singing No Day But Today ( but how can you not when your singing the lyrics "I die without you"). Because I was thinking about it and I wouldn't "die" without the Norris and it's people, but I definitely wouldn't be who I am without them. In fact I wouldn't even be here in New York visiting some of the people closest to me Ryan, Zach and Melissa!

So shout out to the Norris for all you do and all the people you bring together and all the things you've teach these people. 

Back to New York :)

So last night my flight left at 11:40 or something like because after waiting in a 20 minute line coming to realize we could have skipped the line because of the "Free Spirit Mastercard" we have. (It's nice to know that thing is doing something besides taking up more wallet space). You'd be surprised how many people fly at 11:40 at night!

 After all of the security checks and lines I finally got to gate 70A...the last gate,  look at my boarding pass that says 10:50 so I am freaking out because it's 11:00 and I don't see anyone at the gate, but they let me on the plane because I guess a lot of people were "late"  OH SPIRIT AIR!  I have never seen lines so congested and security so backed up an an airport close to midnight on a Saturday,

Anyways I get on the plane and sit next to some guy that I'll never know they name of. I mean doesn't anyone think it's weird that you sit on a plane for 5 hours with a person you never know the name of. But you know that they like to listen to rap music on their Ipod to put them to sleep, that they live in Detroit and they have been in LA for a week. I knew all of this about this person sitting next to me but I never knew his name. 

I sat on the plane waiting for it to take off and also waiting for something to happen to put on this blog when I got to NY. But nothing really did. All I found out by the time my plane landed late in Detroit and I had to sprint to the next terminal to go to NY (What was 6:3o now was 3:30 in California),Exhausted, dehydrated I finally land in NY! and all I've learned is Red-Eye flights will never agree with my sinuses, Spirit Air is cheap because the people are rude...not cute...I mean their hair was like super messy. And I'm like I know I look like shit but you are getting paid...look good and be nice. Also that they are always late and not even water is free on this flight...hahaha.

I land in La Guardia excited to start my first day in New York around 9:00am. I call Ryan and he answers like he maybe forgot that I was coming ( funny ). I get my bags, thankfully they transferred, grabbed a cab and headed to 15 east 11th street. On the way down I asked the man how long he has been driving taxi's. Maybe I would get  some kind of story to put on here...he didn't answer. He just preceded to sing the street names we would pass at lights and honk even though there were signs that said $3,500 fine for honking. I don't remember those last time I was here...good idea...maybe LA will get a clue.

I arrive at the cutest little building, Zach and Ryan's apartment. 

I am finally here.

I ring the doorbell a couple of times and Ryan slowly opens the door groggy and ready to go back to sleep. I am also ready to pass out. After making a peanut butter sandwich out of what these boys have in their kitchen, which is almost nothing, I fall asleep with Sheila the bird making all too much noise.

An hour later I wake up and Ryan is ready for Carpe Diem he says. So I jump in their shower, that hasn't been cleaned since they moved in...and get ready to head out on the most beautiful day I have seen this year California included.

We were off to get Melissa and get some read good brunch. At a place called Jack's on 11ths street. A little expensive for college students but really good, well made food. I suggest you try it out if you come because it wasn't crowded at all and the atmosphere was charming and cozy.

Next we were off to Cloisters in Ft. Tyron Park. I have never been and no one has ever told me to go. But GO! it was beautiful and had a wonderful view of the Hudson River. It is an extension of the MET it carries artifacts from European countries, themes mostly centered around chapels and religious artwork and architecture. I love this type of stuff! It reminded me of museums I visited in Italy last year, except much less crowded. Ryan, Will, Melissa and I enjoyed ourselves in the sun and marveled over the greenery and serenity and a city that is suppose to be restless and hectic. For my first experience in NY this trip I felt more like I was in Massachusetts than New York.

We then went to go visit Zach and the famous Serendipity where he works, but didn't want to wait the hour just to be able to sit down and say hi. SO I simply stood at the entrance hoping he would notice and he did! This sight of him at a real job in a real apartment made me realize that he is really in NY! Not that I didn't realize it before! But I loved seeing it all in person.

Will, Ryan, Mel and I went back to the apartment where I decided to clean and get some groceries for them as my pay back for letting me stay. Now Trader Joe's! Let's talk about that! I mean Melissa said it would be crowded but I didn't think she meant that every aisle would be filled with a line to check out! It was hard to even pick out your food because people were standing all the way by the front to pay! 

We made ourselves some sloppy JJoe's and mac and cheese to save money ended up going out to get floats and have Zach make us frozen hot chocolate himself. We did a lot of eating today which seemed like 3 separate days. WOAH Body clock out of whack! Well I better get sleeping soon. Tomorrow is my first day doing this really by myself as Zach and Ryan will be mostly out and about doing school and work. Wish me LUCK! I'm gonna need it. I should probably plan out what I am doing tomorrow too...yea? yea...

I should also stop trying to look for interesting things to happen...that's lame. I think they will just occur on it's own. 

The Plan

Off to an interesting start...

I haven't left for New York yet but I thought I would have a little preview blog about the situation I am in and basically why it might be fun for you to keep reading. (P.S. I've never blogged in my life).

It all started in April 2009 while I was still at Cal State Fullerton. My Boston Conservatory Summer Dance 07' friends and I thought it would be a good idea if we met up in New York for a couple of days to see each other after all these years, since we have still been talking since we left. To be honest I really wouldn't go to New York if it wasn't to see Annie and Giovanna (Boston people) because if you know me, you know how a hate vacations. Partly because any family vacation has always become difficult to bare after 10 hours. Except for trips with my extended family those are always good because they are usually filled with people I haven't seen for awhile and have a lot to catch up on. Anyways, I don't like taking time away from my routine and plans and lists ( it gives me great anxiety). 45 minutes away from my scratched out planner can almost give me a heart attack. I know it seems unhealthy but I get everything done! and I have been known to be reliable, on time and on top of it. 

So I decide to take this New York trip, making sure I have done all the stuff I need to do before second session of Camp Curtain Call and West Side Story start the next week. I had even originally planned time to sleep so I wouldn't be exhausted when I started work. What started as a 4 day trip from Sunday to Wednesday turned into a week long excursion.

First I would spend time with Giovanna and Annie in the city Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. I would then spend some time with Ryan Amador, and Zach Mink in their apartment till Friday. Take a train at 6am on Saturday to Aberdeen, MD to see Neal ( my twin brother) on base and make my way back to CA that night getting me back to LAX around 10:40 that Saturday night.

Things never go as planned...

SO I get a message from Giovanna and Annie THIS WEEK!(5 days before I am leaving...) saying that the trip was too expensive or they couldn't get off from work. Which I would understand if we hadn't started planning it in APRIL! and they had 3 months to tell me that so I could cancel my tickets!!! But I guess there is something they don't get over there. While they get to get on some train for a couple hours I have to travel a couple thousand miles on a red eye. ( I am not bitter at all.) I understand recession...which is why I am taking a carry on, flying random airlines I've never heard of, at unheard times of day. I just "Make it work", my LA mentality. PROUD OF IT. 

So I call Ryan and Zach to confirm their busy schedules of the week I am visiting. Since really the trip was to see Annie and Giovanna, seeing Zach and Ryan when I could at the end of the week and in the middle of the night was a plus. Now I will be spending most of my time in New York hopping around alone and couldn't be more excited. Of course my friends Melissa L, Benno R, Zach and Ryan will be around to do things here and there but I found that this is an incredible opportunity to live the city for a week mostly ALONE. I actually love this idea and decided to create this blog because knowing me...some crazy things are bound to happen. It's another chance for me to find some "creative fire in the belly of chaos". My total Into the Wild moment...but not the wild and with people I know...okay so not really Into the Wild but maybe one day. :) ( Baby steps )

I am not one to sit around and pity my situation. And I should give credit to Ryan because he was the one that told me the city is better alone. At first I was like "NO RYAN!," but now I thank him for the great idea. 

My next step:

I go to borders the other day and look in the travel section for New York guides and I find this little green one called. THE ENCOUNTER...with phrases on the back like "What will your encounter be?" and "discover twice the city in half the time..." inspiring...I think, somewhat. So I buy it after not seeing much else and find that it is really helpful. It has all the quarters and what you should see, eat, listen to, shop at. Kinda what you expect in a travel book. I plan to flip through this book ( the things I have highlighted) and just go, most likely alone or maybe with a friend, either way I plan to write about each experience, entertaining or not. I hope you will continue to read and ENJOY :)

I leave you with a poem ( first one I've written since High school for one of those flip poetry project books...)

With a brand new tattoo

and a pile of things to do

I plan to leave my planners and lists behind

to find a piece of mind

Alone

well not exact

I will have friends...hmmm they all know how to act?

I vow not to make any previous plans

and hope to have some blogger fans

following the things ( I'm not sure yet) I will do

even if my grammar and spelling is kinda like poo

So hears to my first couple of days without lists

eeeeek it's gonna be hard they will be missed

Thanks Zach and Ryan for saving me and letting me stay

I know you wouldn't have it any other way

to previous plans that left me pissed( sorry used that twice...)

Not sorry to say you won't be missed.