Silent City...

It's been quite a thought-provoking day. Today, everything seems sacred. In an unnerving way the city is quiet. And though I've been home almost all day, the idea of the events that took place ten years ago are still impacting me. This week was wonderful. Slowly, but surely, I'm conquering my piles of homework. I have way too many pages of Italian Diction to read... instead, I'm devoting my time to a blog post. You should feel special. 

I went to the cutest little bookstore on the corner of 12th and Broadway before class on Wednesday. It's called Strand. They sell new and used books, and they have a great corner of legitimate classics with classy hardcovers. (To Mauri: I'm keeping an eye out for Great Expectations for youuu. Which I'm also reading on my Kindle app.) I bought Gulliver's Travels for $5.00. If I'm not careful, most of my time (and money) will be spent there. This Saturday, my floormates and I went to see Hair on Broadway. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The musical is a 'concept musical' (thanks, Ben) so it contains little to no plot. Just a message. And for me, the staging and choreography was very messy. Maybe it was just for the overall effect of the show, but I was let down. Nevertheless, I have another Playbill to add to my collection. 

Oh hey, Times Square. I didn't see you there.

Twice this weekend, I had the opportunity to hang out with some more of my vocal performance friends! I'm really starting to love our group. We had a lovely birthday party for Kaylee on Saturday night. We ended up listening to each other sing, and watching Breakfast at Tiffany's. Here's Times Square. I had to snap a photo of it for everyone back home. I felt like a tourist while doing so.

The feeling of Fall is in the air... and I'm inexplicably excited for the time of wearing sweaters and boots and hats. Yay, hats! My first voice lesson is tomorrow. And I'm starting a new countdown... the release of Inheritance... which I've pre-ordered to be shipped to my dorm. Dinner and Italian Diction now await me. 

Official Inheritance count: 57 days.  Ha. :)

Rain on my parade...

I was woken by the pounding rain today. It wouldn't let me sleep. 

Today was the first day of classes! I was very excited, before I realized that I owned virtually no dance clothes and dance was my first class today. It made me very anxious for a total of 30 seconds. Then, I stopped panicking and put on clothes. It worked well. 

After my first class, I realized how unprepared for the weather I truly was. Why in the world did I leave my rain jacket and umbrella in Idaho? You're just as confused as I was, folks. The weekend was a very nice time of recuperation. A group of us went to see Memphis on Broadway. It was great. A very interesting story, and I was blown away by the voices. Afterward, we stumbled upon this beautiful piece of art in Washington Square. This man creates vibrant pictures, like the one shown here, out of colored sand. Bags and bags of colored sand, friends! 

The next day I checked out Trinity Grace Park Slope, an awesome church in Brooklyn, that my sister and her husband attend. I really enjoyed it. I loved the worship and the environment as a whole. Very exciting.

On Monday, I went on a Coney Island trip with a group of students. Coney Island was sad. I felt like it was crying. The amusement park is filled with a sense of lost glory... it seems to be a shadow of what it once was. We didn't stay long. My group walked around the beach, ate french fries, and headed home. I collected some shells while I was there, though. To finish the day off, some hallmates and I watched Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. 

I love my course load thus far. My dance instructor is amazing. He's super inspiring. I know I'm going to love the class. He's been in multiple Broadway shows, and is very passionate about what he teaches, which makes me even more excited for the class. Writing the Essay is required for all freshmen, and my teacher seems really friendly. And choir is absolutely wonderful. I was in awe at the sound of our 30-person choir on our first day. This is exactly where I want to be. 

This is the almost finished product of the art. He went around 2 more times with finishing details. Isn't it beautiful? I absolutely love this culture. Also, I got my theory results! Yay! I tested into Theory 1, and Aural Comp 2, so I actually have to wait until Spring to take Aural Skills. I'm really looking forward to Theory. Lesson learned this week: textbook prices are just as painful as you hear they are. Oooh! I also learned that Insomnia Cookies delivers. Who doesn't want a cookie delivery service to their dorm? My roommates and I took full advantage of that offer today. We made tea tonight to keep warm from the rain. Tea and cookies. 

Lovely. :) 

Living in the concrete jungle...

Is amazing.

Life is incredible. Taxi cab drivers are crazy. And there is a coffee shop on every city block. Yesterday, we had our "Presidential Welcome" at the Beacon Theatre, and guess what NYU alumnus was there to welcome us? Alec Baldwin. And some amazing Tisch students performed some great musical numbers about life at NYU. Washington Square is beautiful. I cannot wait for winter.

My roommates are all really awesome and fun to be with. My two roommates are from Jersey, so they know their way around really well, which is helpful. Haha. And I have two suitemates: one from Indonesia, and one from LA. The people on my floor are also very friendly, and my RA is absolutely amazing. She's so chill and fun. I've also met almost every freshman in the vocal performance program, since there are only about 29 of us, I think.

The view from our window.

The thing that I love most is the plethora of restaurants. There is every type of food imaginable. And I've become a fan of the restaurants on campus that take Dining Dollars. Yay! 

I've been placed in Dr. Speiser's vocal studio, and I'm really excited to begin lessons. Classes start on Tuesday, and I'm getting really antsy to start. I love the free time I have now, but I really want routine to kick in. And I want to stop looking like a lost freshman. Every time I pull out my map I feel branded. 

I still can't begin to express how much I love it here. I love having people to sing musical theatre with on the sidewalk, and people that understand why you don't listen to pop music. I love that every building towers over me. I love the business and excitement of the city. 

Sending my love back home. 

It's time!

Goodbye, Idaho. Hello, New York! Hopefully. Hurricane Irene is scheduled to hit New York City on Sunday, which consequentially, was our scheduled move-in day. Surprise! NYU has rescheduled move-in day to Monday, pushing back orientation and [some] Welcome Week events.

Lovely. I love rain. I love storms. However, I've never been in a hurricane. Looks like we'll be spending a beautiful Sunday inside. It is rather late at night, and I should be packing and weighing suitcases instead of updating my blog. Instead, I've decided that one last post was necessary before heading out the door.

If you've been keeping up with my NY count, there is only 1 day left. One little tiny day. I'm excited. And this is what I'm excited for:

I'm packing up all my potential, and all that I've learned... and heading out to change a few things. ;)

Astonishing....

Idaho ♥

I leave in 11 days. I leave the wonderful home I've known for 18 years... Idaho is a beautiful state. Unfortunately, it's taken me this long to begin to appreciate it. 

However, I can say with confidence that I'm so excited to finally experience culture and diversity.

 

Capital building, Boise, ID. 

Windmills on the hill.

 If you've ever been on Sunday drives, or summer evening drives, or midnight stargazing drives in this town... you've driven into the foothills of Idaho Falls. Within these hills lie a large handful of impressive windmills. They're incredible. If you drive to the base and just look up, you begin to feel immensely small.









I couldn't resist this next picture. The best thing to do on a Saturday morning in Idaho Falls is visit the Farmer's Market. And what better to sell at Farmer's Market but some genuine Idaho potatoes?

It's true. We really do have the best potatoes. 

Ah... traveling in Idaho. Traveling in Idaho is truly made by the scenery (or lack thereof) on the side of the Interstates. You find yourself surrounded by flatland and farms for miles - with looming mountain ranges dotting the horizon. Honestly, for 18 years, I've hated traveling in Idaho. You're surrounded by nothing. Now... I'm beginning to feel a bit nostalgic.

And my absolute favorite part of coming home? Passing the Welcome to Idaho sign. :)

It truly is bittersweet.





*My bags are packed and I want to go... Idaho, Idaho.