All the pretty lights

Ross arrived in New York late monday night the week of thanksgiving. As soon as he arrived I got him settled and went to bed... because I had 4 hours of dancing the next morning.  After my classes ending I got home we got some food and then walked to school so I could show him around. 

It was really cool to be able to share my life in New York with him. 

After touring around Yonkers and Bronxville for the afternoon we came back to my house to make "Thanksgiving" dinner. I roasted a chicken, made homemade mashed potatoes, stove top, and biscuits. 

My first ever roast chicken!

Wednesday morning we went into the city to stay for the rest of his trip. We stayed at the doubletree manhattan on 53 and Lexington.

Ross is the most amazing man in the whole world ever...

it's true... This morning he surprised me big time. It seems he has made a liar of me in the best way, this will not be my first Thanksgiving alone... But instead, my first Thanksgiving with Ross.

I'm so excited and happy, every time I think about it I get pterodactyls in my stomach, smily like dopey (seven dwarf style) and begin to cry. I feel bad because Ross asked me if I was happy this morning but I was crying, so that when I said yes I sounded sad... in reality I was so in shock and unbelievably happy I burst into tears.

So I now have new plans and a new menu for my thanksgiving:

Monday night Ross arrives

Tuesday I have classes till 1pm, make cinnamon rolls, then explore Bronxville and make a fancy thanksgiving dinner of: Roast turkey breast and veggies, garlic smashed potatoes, stove top (don't judge, I love it), and a dessert TBD.

Wednesday we will head into NYC and hang out, we will be staying in the city wednesday and thursday. We will possibly go to the parade (If I can get Ross up that early hahaha).

Then Friday morning he will fly home and I will return to my research paper due the following monday.

Ross is the most amazing man in the whole world and I cannot wait till monday night...

Karma Balances Itself

You know those days when you have so much to say and no where to start... therefore you feel like you have nothing to say. Yeah, today is kinda like that.

I guess I'll start from the last post.

my motivation and inspiration lately...



Read more for a quick recap of my week

we speak the same language

go read this now!

this is one of my favorite websites in the whole world

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/weekend-meditation/weekend-meditation-how-to-eat-your-way-to-happiness--160129

Another day, another injury...

It amazes me how quickly the weeks pass here... I feel like I just moved and getting through orientation. In reality I am in the thick of final papers and projects, with my final showing for my dance tuesday. AHHHHHHHHH how did that happen?

This week I was nursing a strained left hamstring which was an interesting challenge for me. I learned how to modify and take care of my body while still completing everything and never stopping. I also had a really good day friday (to a certain extent). 

Friday I woke up to Ross still being awake. He had just gotten home from work and was getting ready for bed. For some reason being able to talk to him before I started my day made me so happy. I smiled like a school girl throughout my day. I had Contemporary 3 with Gwen and my hamstring was almost back to normal so I was feeling pretty good (plus that boost of love still radiating). During the combination she approached me and said that I'm doing a great job of blending all my training in class and exploring and experimenting really well. Then she said she realized she never really gives me much feedback and that I was doing a good job and she is happy with my work (that made me feel better, even though I still greatly desire feedback). 

In grad sem later that day I was working through the problem of the ending of my dance (still has problems). Sara could tell I was more than the normal flustered, luckily we stopped working and she just talked to me and had me explain what I wanted to accomplish and the obstacles in the way. To be honest - right now I'm not sure if I hate my dance or if its acceptable. Unfortunately, if I do hate it, it's too late to really change it now...

oh well

So this weekend I wanted to make myself feel good... so I made pumpkin bread! Then I made rosemary muffins and turkey, bean, leek, and butternut squash soup (and I bought popcorn and a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream).

Pumpkin Bread

recipe

For the muffin and soup recipes read on...

Blizzards, Lights, and Beef Stew

What a strange week it has been... Starting with the fact that Sara Rudner wasn't there all week because she had a show in the city.  I got A LOT of feedback about my dance and ended up changing and shifting the whole thing. Ross got his gift on wednesday and loved it (thank god!). His phone was being weird all week though and I never heard from him on monday or tuesday really until late that night. 

Tuesday night I also found out about a very close friend and mentor is not doing well physically and it's serious. That was a huge hit to my heart and all day wednesday I was filled with a sadness and heavy heart for her. But I danced in honor of her, she is a huge supporter in my life and encouraged me to follow my passion and apply for Sarah Lawrence. When I found out I had gotten in she was one of the first people I told when I kept it on the low down from most of even my closest friends. 

So to my favorite badass... I will dance in honor of you with my whole heart and spirit!

Friday I had tickets to Fall for Dance program 1 at City Center in NYC. I saw Mark Morris, Lil Buck, Trisha Brown, and The Joffrey Ballet for the first time ever. Let's just say I want to dance for Trisha Brown SOOOOO bad. Her piece was so beautiful and made me extremely sad to see it end. 

Saturday was really the most crazy day of all my days here so far...

At 11:30 I hopped on the train to the city with Bailey to go to the Performing arts library at lincoln center. As I started walking it began to snow... like REALLY SNOW. At noon we got to the city and began to trudge through a few inches of slush and snow. 

Lincoln center was awesome and I found the amazing book by a man in Boise all about Basque Dancing. After working at the library for 5 hours we headed to a pub on 46th and 11th to meet Dawn and Caroline for food and a drink before Sara's show. It was so nice to talk with Bailey, Dawn and Caroline outside of the SLC world. I was able to talk to them on a more personal level which I desperately needed. 

Next was the Show at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. It was AMAZING! An hour long work in complete silence (except a few soft chats and songs by the dancers) based entirely on the lighting. There were so many surprises and funny and thoughtful moments. I was so happy the entire time and at the end I was desperately wanting more. 

After the show I had 2 plans: 1)If the trains were running one of the undergrads was going to give me a ride home from the station. 2) if the trains weren't running or I couldn't get a ride I was going to go with Bailey to her friend's house in Brooklyn til sunday morning. 

luckily the trains were running and Patrick could fit me in his car. 

Sunday Morning I awoke to this:

 Read more for Spiced Pear Muffin and Beef Stew Recipes

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Who doesn't love a surprise of all your favorite baked goods?

I'm hoping Ross loves it... because that was the main portion of my anniversary gift to him (makes sense, since it was cooking that started this whole thing)

Saturday morning for 3 hours my hands worked non-stop to bake 3 of his favorites, all of which I have never made before and was slightly nervous (especially the toffee since that is easily ruined)

However! it all came out well and I really hope he likes it because I enjoyed making all of it

So... first I made everything but the kitchen sink cookies (these were literally bookmarked in my recipe section as "Ross Cookies."

companion cubes make the best assistant bakers

my new companion courtesy of Ross...

and my halloween decoration...

and my new coffee maker...

I spent 3 hours yesterday morning working on Ross's anniversary package and once he receives it I will post the details on here... be excited because I tried new and scary things (keep you mind out of the gutter!)

This week's baking project!!!!

Feta, Red Pepper and Onion Scones (Lauren’s adaptation)

▪                2 cups all-purpose flour (I like using whole wheat flour)

▪                1 tbs baking powder

▪                ½  tsp salt

▪                2 tbs granulated sugar

▪                8 tbs unsalted butter, chilled (in freezer for like 5-10 mins before adding to mixture)

▪                4 tbs Grade B Maple Syrup (if you leave this out, add 1 more tbs of sugar)

▪                3/4 cup heavy cream, chilled or 2%milk for less fatty version (Usually 1 cup milk)

▪                2 red peppers and 1 small onion chopped and sauteed and cooled

▪           4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese

A weekend in Pleasantville...

My weekend in SLO was EXACTLY what I needed. Even though there was some stress and drama just to get there.  I was an hour and a half delayed getting out of La Guardia, however I was being told by the flight attendants that we should make it and they are going to hold the flight in Denver for us. 

Once I get to Denver I RACE to the gate for Santa Barbara and luckily they were still boarding. I get in my seat call everyone and let them know I made it and buckled up. Then the pilot walked out... it was too foggy in SB to land and now LA was too fogged in as well. No flight was landing on the west coast that night... so I get my stuff and walk to the customer service line. 

They rebooked the flight for the next morning at 8 am and gave us hotel vouchers. I go to the embassy suits and realize I haven't eaten that day except some cereal, yogurt and a carrot muffin that morning and I'm STARVING. I call room service... and they are closed for the night. Luckily the hotel had a small "market" with a lot of candy and a couple types of crappy chicken soup. so I bought some soup and popcorn and went back to my room. The good part of it was that it allowed Ross and I to really talk for the first time in a long time completely unrestrained by time or anything. I loved being able to really talk for an hour or so about everything and nothing. 

The next morning I woke up at 5am MT (4am PT 7am ET) and got some food and coffee then collected my stuff and went downstairs to catch the shuttle to the airport. 

I wish I could explain how excited I was... pretty sure everyone on the flight thought I was crazy since I couldn't stop smiling like a fool. 

When I landed in SB Ross and I took the pass back to SLO and stopped at the AG In&Out for burgers and fries. Once we got back to his house it was around noon so we finished eating and took a nap since we were both up late and got up early. 

That afternoon was BEAUTIFUL and warm and sunny and the perfect SLO. we walked to Granada Bistro and had "the Lauren plate" which is goat cheese, nutella, salt, and fruit on crostini bread. Ross had his Spaten optimator beer and I enjoyed Chimay. It was the perfect afternoon

That night I got to catch up with Jude for 20 mins before she and Caren went to go see Axis Dance perform at the Cal Poly PAC. Then the boys and I went to Giuseppe's. 

I really do miss being one of the boys... A meal with Ross, Kiel and Wes will always equal extreme laughing and inappropriate jokes. After dinner we headed to McCarthy's so I could see Vanessa who was working that night and Caren could join us for a drink. It was awesome to catch up with her and hear what's up in her life right now. We were going to go to sheep but we all decided to call it a night instead. 

Sunday morning the 3 boys and I went for brunch before going to Bravo SLO to see Variable Perform. I ordered the stuffed French toast with strawberries... and proceeded to eat the whole thing... then finish Kiel's pumpkin pancakes. 

The leaves begin to change and I'm thinking about my eyeballs

This week has been such a change from last week, it's almost hard to believe. I had an amazing meeting with the program director, Sara Rudner, monday. I talked to her about my stuckness in my choreography and she helped me think through ideas and now I have so many ideas they are bursting to be worked on. I also talked to her about my tendency to over think things and panic. She gave me tips on how to not censor myself and to take the time I need when I start to panic. She also talked to me about my dancing and that I'm doing really well and that I could be even better if I start incorporating more of focus into my work. So this has been the week of the eyeball.

Tuesday I have a graduate seminar based on exploration and experimentation in movement with a anatomical support. So I spent 2 hours initiating movement with my eyeballs and making sure I was really using them and seeing things around me as I dance. It was insanely hard and made me slightly nauseous, but so worth it. The next day in my contemporary class while we furthered the combinations from monday I started to add in the concept of focus to my work. It was amazing how different everything felt with such a slight change of thinking about head placement and what I'm looking at.

From this work I FINALLY got some feedback and comments from my teacher. I've been so worked up over the fact I never seem to get much attention or comments (negative or positive). It was like it lifted a burden from my shoulders and I felt like in 1 class my dancing changed for the better more than it has in a long while. I think it's one of those things where I work as hard as I physically, mentally and emotionally can in order be my best; and when your best incites nothing from those around you it feels as though you've worked for nothing. Which is the wrong way to think, but I am a performer and I am practicing how to perform.


On a completely different note, I leave for California TOMORROW! (Exactly 24 hrs from when I'm typing this sentence) I am soooooooo excited I wish I could explain it. I can't wait to see Ross and tell him about my dance and get his input on my ideas. I can't wait for dinner and Dexter with Caren and Kiel. I can't wait to go to Linnaea's and work on my research paper. I can't wait for sunshine and warmth and love and good food and just to be HOME.

When I got home from school today I immediately started packing and put in my California playlist:

Baking Project Part 5: Carrot Muffins

This weeks Baking project is savory because I realized I really don't want something sweet during my break. I want something hearty and substantial. So I saw a recipe for carrot muffins, a less sweet version of a carrot cake. I have adapted this recipe only a little, I used 100% whole wheat flour in stead of half wheat half white. I also switched vegetable oil out for olive oil. Next time I would like to add a little bit of nutmeg to the recipe as well

I also had an epiphany that is probably my most genius idea of the week by far... yesterday at the store there was a manager's special on a loaf of plain goat cheese (my favorite!). 

So I HIGHLY recommend putting plain goat cheese on the muffin instead of butter or cream cheese and let it melt a little and arm and I promise it will be the best breakfast of your life.

 continue reading for recipe and photos

Tis the season... for apples and cinnamon

Weekend Meditations

I love this tea pot and it's brightness. Teapots have slowly become my beacon of homeliness. I find that it means "there will always be tea or coffee at hand and the whistle will make sure to break through any fog." Teapots make me happy (I may start keeping a list).

Secondly I realized yesterday that this dance blog has slowly become a food blog so my question is... Should I simply start a food blog? Or continue on with the confusion of food and dance together? Comments and opinions are very welcome...

and now time for the french apple cake, that I changed a lot so really it's a Cinnamon apple cake


click read more for recipe and photos....

The hand that burns probably holds the knife

I've created this challenge to myself completely unconsciously for some reason that I want to cook something new and different every week. I guess it is a way to keep myself busy. Food is very comforting and challenging; it has played a large part of my life. I figure if I fail as a dancer or choreographer I'll open a bakery or cafe. Sometimes I wonder if food was my true calling, I watched Julia Child as a kid in stead of Barney. I used to pretend cook and I've always loved the feel of flour in my hands. who knows maybe I'll be so successful as an artist I'll have the income to open a cafe with out a problem. 

I think another part of this food obsession is  a need to fill in the place of my local cafes in SLO, I'm sort of making my home my own cafe (minus the fancy coffee). 

My parents said something that really resonated to me this morning, find something that makes you happy. I'm obviously not happy in my personal life (very happy in my school life). Coming home is hard and the weekends are especially hard and lonely. I have no one to talk to and tell my ideas for my dance. Or how I'm worried that my contemporary teacher doesn't really give me corrections or comments on my work. I want to be noticed and corrected so I can improve and I feel like sometimes I'm invisible. I'd like to tell someone I'm scared I'm screwing up Dawn's dance because I over think EVERYTHING and then panic. Maybe I need to make a calming soup next time instead of a hot and sour one...

CLICK READ MORE FOR THE RECIPE AND PHOTOS

One by one the seasons change and peanut butter begins

I woke up yesterday morning to Fall. It seems like Mother Nature woke up Saturday morning and realized it was October and needed to cool things off a bit. Walking to the grocery store and back home brought back so many memories of France. In many ways I am living a parallel life to my time in France. However I don't have the luxury of having Laine here as a piece of home to hang out with and comfort each other. 

This week went by SO fast! I can't believe it. I'm excited for the next 2 weeks to pass as quickly so I can be home for a few days soaking up the SLO life. Until then I must really dig in and get a lot of work done. 

Yesterday while looking at kittens up for adoption at the local shelter I happened to look up the band The Acorn to see if they've done anything lately. It seems they have put out a new album and allowed me to fall in love all over again!

Images from the week...

Monday I woke up to fire trucks on my street

I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

Click on Read More to see my recipe for Peanut Butter muffins with jam centers for an easy to go version of a PB&J.

A much needed change of scenery

This morning was a big day for me, my first trip to the city. Holy shit did I need this trip. Turns out my good friend Spank from SLO was i town this weekend for a family wedding in NY and luckily had free time sunday morning to meet with me before I had to be back in Yonkers for rehearsal.

And so my adventure began...

I took the Metro North Harlem line into grand Central station where I waited at the info booth for the much needed dose of home. 

I acted like a tourist while I waited

After we met we started walking down 42nd street and ran into a big market on 5th Ave, so we walked down it. (side note on the way some random lady asked us where the subway was! haha) 

It was so nice to be with Spank and have a little piece of home here, I also like talking to Spank and being silly. He couldn't have come at a more necessary time. 

more after the break

Back to the grind

This last week has been NUTS, three 11 hr days in a row capped by 8 hr days and my "free time" spent studying and working on my research paper.

Tuesday was the real shit show of a day, I had grad sem II then composition which I left early for a training conference with Liz Rogers which was so amazing and beyond valuable. From there I went straight to dance meeting for the whole department and met the tech staff. After dance meeting I had rehearsal time that I spent working on my homework and reading for grad sem I, then at 5:30 I had my first showing... which was terrifying.

How it works is, every other week we show during a class called dance making. We are each alloted 15 minutes to show everything we have created and or rehearsed with our dancers so far. Then we ask a question of the other students (ie. what images did you see?). The same week we go to a conference with Dan Hurlin and Sara Rudner to watch the video from the showing and discuss the work, how rehearsals are going, etc.

Wednesday I started rehearsals with Dawn, where we talked a lot about translation and what that means. I'm really excited about her piece!

Thursday and friday I had my own rehearsals along with class which was good, I'm really liking the direction I'm going and simply experimenting. During the week it has been working out that most of the dance grads have been eating lunch together which is my favorite part of the day. I love hearing what they have to say and just talking about things. It has been VERY helpful. 

Saturday I was in SUPER productive mode. In the morning it wasn't raining so I ran to the grocery store, when I returned I went to the Laundromat with Heather and much needed laudnry. Then I cam home and began work a curry recipe I had found here. This was crazy easy to make and for $11 total it'll give me 5 big meals (=$2.20/meal). 

After I made the curry I went to Heather's house to make cupcakes and hang out. They ended up being marshmallow cupcakes with vanilla frosting. However we started to run out of frosting half way through so we out just a little on top and the looked kind of like nipples so we added the extra marshmallow as a joke. 

I went home early that night to gear up and get ready for my big NYC adventure the next morning... to meet with a man named Spank. 

a river of tears... and a lot of cookies

So this weekend I was pretty sure it was going to be a solitary weekend and quite lonely. Saturday I watched ridiculous sad movies and while I hate to admit it, cried most of the day (let's not bring it up again shall we). Mainly I was sad because I feel very out of place here, I've mentioned this before but it's worse. I am in a totally new, unfamiliar place where people are less than friendly. In our program most of the grad students are either married and/or live in the city. So hanging out is a little tough. Then the few that do live near by and aren't married I see all day every day, 5-6 days a week. Its not that I don't like them. Its quite the opposite! I really like them, so I don't wan them to end up disliking me because I'm usually not in the mood to hangout or be around people after such long days. I also fear that if we do spend too much time together they may end up realizing they don't think I'm cool or interesting or whatever. 

Girls are hard for me, I have a hard time spending massive amounts of time with just girls. I'm much more used to being around boys. Here I don't really have any contact with boys.

I miss hanging out with my nerdy engineer boys talking about helicopters, video games, and the best way to build a projector tv theater at home. I grew up in a neighborhood of all boys, Most of my friends are boys, except the exceptional few females who are the most amazing women ever. 

I also miss Ross and I try really hard not to annoy him or complain or pester him on a daily basis. But I realized he is my only male contact that I have and I miss it. I worry sometimes that I get overly emotional about things and end up annoying him with my texts. But I can't help the way I feel and sometimes I just have to cry myself to sleep if I'm going to sleep at all. (yes saying that makes me feel stupid... oh well).

The other night there were a few songs that seemed to match my mood:

new wheels, old pillow, future wings and some spacewalks

Last Saturday night I bought a bicycle!!!! It's a diamondback luster 1 hybrid bicycle. Riding around here is terrifying though. The NY drivers are psycho and there are no bike lanes and the sidewalks are super uneven and tiny. However it is nice biking to and from school, though I have to carry my bicycle up and down from the 3rd floor. Let's just say I'm going to be super uber fit by the end of the month.

Saturday afternoon we also had our internet hooked up in the apartment which is FANTASTIC! I get to utilize netflix again.  While the man was hooking it up I started on my newest baking project.

Every weekend I plan to bake a batch of something to take to school everyday for my mid morning break.

Last week I made sweet potato scones, this weekend I made a version of Black Horse's savory scone (my favorite) cheddar, leek and tomato scones. I have to admit though... they may not make it through the week. I just had one and I kind of want to eat them all right now.

Next week... either peanut butter muffins filled with strawberry jam in the middle or lemon yogurt cupcakes... haven't decided yet

buckling down, settling in and a search for a cure

Well, I have completed my first week of school, and it was completely overwhelming, terrifying, and fantastic. Week 2 has now begun.

my schedule is a lot crazy to say the least... I basically dance from 9am-8pm every day with maybe an hour for lunch or so. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to handle all of this physicality and I am concerned for the stress on my body. Every night I elevate my legs and feet for 10mins, I use my back roller and tennis balls for minimum 30 mins, I drink 1-2 liters of water a day, taking a daily vitamin, and eating as healthy as possible. So far so good, but this air mattress is taking a toll on my body for sure.

Before I go into that story I'll just give you an overview of my first week and give you a peek into the life of a graduate student dancer here at Sarah Lawrence (SLC).

I have class every day day starting at 9am, Most days I start with contemporary class with Gwen Welliver, who is beyond amazing! The class is so relaxing and invigorating, I learn so much from her and the other students. Gwen was a Doug Verone dancer for 10 years and also was the rehearsal director for Trisha Brown for many years. She is possibly one of the kindest, most supportive people I have ever met. She is very different from any technique I have encountered before, but she allows us to utilize other techniques while giving us new suggestions as well. I love that there is no right or wrong in her class (as long as you're not hurting yourself) just a sense of exploration on how to solve the problem presented to us and self learning from how each of us approach it with our own solution. 

I have 3 graduate seminars, which are the only classes with only grad students in them. Graduate Seminar 1 is our research/writing course where this semester we are discussing world dance. Graduate Seminar 2 is our choreography seminar where we can try out ideas and concepts on each other. Graduate Seminar 3 is a mix of anatomy and dance together.

As a first year student I also have to take Lighting design, Dance History, and Anatomy on top of dance making (choreography showcase), music seminar, composition, improv (I chose contact improv). Then I also decided to take teaching conference (might have been a stupid idea, possibly should have taken next year... oh well)

On top of all of my classes I also have 4 hours of personal studio time to work for myself, 4 hours of rehearsal for my own dance piece, 4 hours for Dawn's piece, and 3 hrs for Heather's piece. As well as a bi weekly meeting with the program director, bi weekly meeting with my music advisor, monthly dance  department meeting, and weekly classroom time for teaching conference (starting in Oct), and reading assignments and homework.

Basically my entire life for the next year is completely booked...

So my classes went well and I love all of my teachers, the grad students are so different and amazing.

Over the weekend I finally broke down and bought a bike so I don't have to rely on getting a ride or walking everyday. Which to me was a great relief. I even realized while riding the bike home that I kind of enjoyed it (yes that's right I will eat my words, bikes are not stupid but they are uncomfortable).


Next post will be on my bike day mattress debacle and a surprise...

one of those restless days

I don't know if it's just me or if everyone has them... those restless days where you can't figure out what to do, where to go, what music to listen to, etc. Today is one of those days...

I was maybe going to go to the city on a tour, but it is supposed to be stormy this afternoon/evening and for some reason I don't want to go on their tour... I want to go on my own kind of tour. That, and it's expensive and I am a crazy penny pincher right now.

I feel like I need an artistic outlet, or organizing frenzy, or cooking day, BAH I can't figure it out...

It's really weird being here some days, I feel so isolated even though I'm gaining friends and a knowledge of the area. I still feel alone and out of place here.

This last week was orientation and classes start Monday which is really scary and exciting. Orientation was awesome and I took full advantage of it. Turns out I am 1 of 4 incoming grad students instead of 6 which is how many there have been the last few years. 3 of us are from the first audition and 1 from the second audition (which was twice as large). All the ladies seem really cool and we've kind of stuck together this first week to figure everything out.

All 4 of us are VERY different, which is important and cool: Heather is from South Carolina, Sabrina from Miami, and Marisa from Brooklyn. I am the only west coaster in the graduate dance program, I believe. So I will definitely be different.

My roommate Emily is also super awesome and is an incoming grad student in Poetry which is perfect.

All in all I am really happy about school so far and my class schedule is finalized and a lot crazy. Well finalized is also relative since we still have to figure out our own studio time, 2 personal rehearsals, and a meeting once a week with the program director on top of that

Basically I am taking a full load of 4 lecture courses, then 9 dance classes on top of that, then studio time, rehearsals and meetings as well.

I guess today I will start on my readings for the grad seminar 1 and maybe work on my memory book or read or work on an art project... who knows. But if you have suggestions please let me know.

update... apparently it was a case of the "mean reds" and Breakfast at Tiffany's was the cure needed

Miss Lonely New York pt. 2

Saturday 8-20-11

Power outage from around 5am-7pm... so I simply lounged at home until I was starving and walked to the store for food

Sunday 8-21-11

Stormy all day... So I read my friend Mara Truslow's book Fifteen Fragments. If you want to read an AMAZING, honest, and heart breaking-ly beautiful book look no further. It took me essentially 1 day to read (2 afternoons).

Now I am not much of a cryer in general... but to be perfectly honest it has been a rough first week here in Yonkers. I don't know if it was Hello Dolly that got my hopes up or something else, but it hasn't been all carriages and singing store clerks. I miss my home in San Luis, I miss my boyfriend and my friends. I miss knowing where I'm walking, and what to expect when I get there. I miss the small town vibe where you basically know everyone (and their dog) I MISS COFFEE SHOPS!!!! I miss bookstores and politeness.

I can't explain how stupid I feel somedays for leaving everything I love and know for a place that is cold (in their behavior) and unknown. I'm lonely... I'll be the first to say it! But luckily I have an amazing boyfriend and amazing friends and family that have supported me this week. Especially to "that one guy" in particular who has reminded me that this is where I'm supposed to be and that slo doesn't hold much for me anymore... at least not right now. Who makes me laugh and calms me with the intricacies of the mundane parts of life... and sends cheer up flowers

So starting Monday I made an effort not to cry, and to appreciate what I have coming my way the next 2 years.

Monday 8-21-11

I met my new roommate!!!!! Her name is Emily and she is an incoming grad student in poetry at Sarah Lawrence. She seems really cool and I'm excited for her to totally move in on Friday and to get to know her over the next 2 years.

I also explored the mall about 10 mins from my house (which has an H&M!!!). The mall actually reminds me of the outlets in Paris in many ways. (I miss Paris)

Tusday 8-22-11

more mall exploration, a purchase of a new pillow, the announcement of a new Tom Waits album... all in all a satisfying day

Wednesday 8-23-11

Today: I walked to sarah lawrence and bought 2 books: David Sedaris "When you are engulfed in flames" and "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. Then I walked to Starbucks where I am now currently drinking the first coffee I've had since I left Boise a week ago. Where I am currently typing these blog posts, and also enjoying some free passion fruit nonsense.

The next few days are going to be super stormy so I can't wait to settle down with these books and some tea. Keep calm until the storm of school takes over next week. To be honest, I'm a little scared of that storm and if I can keep afloat through it.

Miss Lonely New York...

Well it's official... I now live in New York; Yonkers, New York to be precise. I have been here about a week and officially explored pretty much everything there is within walking distance of my house.

Events so Far:

Thursday 8-18-11

I move in! yay... Slight panic when I arrive to find out the number my roommate gave me for the landlord is wrong... and my phone is dead. Luckily I am very smart (some days) and I knew my laptop had full charge and my phone charger is a usb so I got that plugged in and got to texting my roommate.

When I got to the house I was let in and hauled my beasts called baggage up to the third floor of the house, which is our apartment. The place itself is very open and light and pretty. I really like the apartment, and when all of my stuff finally arrives my room will be quite charming and nice.

That afternoon I left to walk to the school, all I knew was that it was on Kimball street about a mile away. Unfortunately, I accidentally walked the wrong way down Kimball and got very angry at the HUGE Hills I had to go over. On the way back I stopped by a CVS and grabbed some food to last me a couple days (IE ramen).

When I returned it was starting to get stormy and there was a large thunderstorm, which of course made me happy.

Friday 8-19-11

I found a neighbor that has an open internet wifi, but it doesn't always work but has allowed me some internet access so I don't go crazy.

Today I decided to actually walk to school and see the grounds (not covered in snow, like when I visited in February). It was really pretty! I'm excited to start school and get going with becoming a real dancer/choreographer.

That evening I was luckily taken to the store by my roommate who has a car so I could get some real food.

For more.... see next post!

Update

very super quick update!

1. I was asked to audition for Sarah Lawrence in Feb... I went
2. I was accepted to Sarah Lawrence for their graduate prgram in dance
3. I graduated from CalPoly
4. I choreographed a piece for Nipomo High School's show
5. I am moving to NY in a month
6. I created a piece for a friend to be performed at his church after he came to my class
7. He performed the piece with my friend Leslie

8. I went to Tahoe with friends and filmed around a river near Auburn to make a backdrop for a dance
9. need to find music for that dance
10. I need to actually update this more... sorry