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

Love is a Futile Skirmish

Love is a Futile Skirmish from Lauren Chertudi on Vimeo.

Why I want to attend Sarah Lawrence

I don’t want to be like anyone else, I want to explore dance and expand my identity as a dancer and choreographer in order to better share my thoughts. I have always worked to create my own thoughts and never rely on what I’m told or the world’s standards.

I want to study not only the human body, but also the mind and spirit that drive it. The body is a reaction to psychological and exterior factors. There are forces inside and out that affect every aspect of our lives. It is the forces and effects that fascinate me as a dancer and choreographer.

Sarah Lawrence is not a place to perfect technique in order to create carbon copy students. It offers a place to explore, discover, and grow; not just as a dancer and choreographer but also as a human. Sarah Lawrence also provides a cerebral study of dance. I attended California Polytechnic University as an out of state student (6.8% of students) in one of the most rigorous business programs in the country. I want to continue to use every bit of my brain, a marriage between right and left halves. Pure physicality cannot exist alone; it requires impetus from the psyche and/or spirit. All elements need to be engaged to create a true piece of art.

I see Sarah Lawrence as a chance to live in a new environment and experience a much different community from those in Idaho and California. While I have lived in France I have never been east of Salt Lake City in the United States. I am excited about Sarah Lawrence’s proximity to New York to see shows on and off Broadway, visit MoMA, and experience a diverse area, something I have dreamed of since I was young. I also want to experience the natural beauty of the northeast. I draw a lot of inspiration from my surroundings and Sarah Lawrence provides a new and unique setting for me to learn and explore.

I was fully convinced Sarah Lawrence was for me upon receiving emails and phone calls from the school, simply asking if I had any questions or needed anything. From the second I ordered the information packet from SLC Dance I felt supported and welcomed. No one has ever done that before; schools, jobs, or activities. Recently when I landed in Phoenix halfway through my journey to Idaho for Christmas I turned on my phone and seconds later received a phone call from Sarah Lawrence about this application. I felt that I mattered and I was important. Dedication to a student means everything to me and shows me that Sarah Lawrence will be a place where I can grow as a dancer, choreographer, and as a person.