How is it possible that I've already been here for 3 1/2 months?? Part of me feels like the time has gone so fast, but another part of me feels like I've been here for at least a year. Spending every day in Lynn's home office feels like ages ago, but bringing Brittany up the elevator for the first time feels like last week. I can't believe how much has happened since the first day I stepped out of the Chinatown bus. I've worked as an administrative assistant for a skin care line, a waitress at a Sicilian restaurant, an escort for guests of the NASDAQ closing bell ceremony, a promotions girl handing out rapper-endorsed energy shots, an assistant to an attorney, and next week I will be a holiday elf for a T-Mobile event. That's not a joke. In between those odd jobs, I've seen old friends from high school, Busch Gardens, and dog sledding. I've made new friends with Miss New York girls, promotion girls, my roommates, Lindsay and Jim's friends, and random people at social events. I know the locations of most Starbucks, can give visitors directions, and work the subway system like a pro...except when I lose my balance and go flying into a stranger. Some things will never change.
Tomorrow, I am looking at a possible new apartment. Leaving my current living situation and preparing for Brittany to go back to Virginia (for now) makes me feel like the first chapter of my life in New York is coming to an end. Just when I'm getting in the groove of things, I have to pick up and change locations. Hopefully I'll end up with roommates as amazing as the ones I've had for the last three months, but no matter what, I'm not looking forward to readjusting...again. It'll be nice to have my own room, but odds are I won't be as close to Manhattan, nor will I have the comforts that come with living in a luxury highrise. I've been spoiled, to say the least. I'm just hoping that the room I look at tomorrow works out so that I don't have to go through the "searching for a place to live" process much longer.
Despite the fact that I'm losing the security of my familiar apartment and closest friend aside from family in the City, I'm so grateful for the constants that will remain. One of those constants is my friend, Meg, who spent the past two days with me. We have a little tradition of drinking wine and watching long, old movies, so "Gone With the Wind" fit the bill on Sunday afternoon. Afterwards, we headed to Brittany's 'Bound for Broadway' showcase- the cabaret she and I were both hired for a few weeks ago. Brittany wasn't just amazing- she was hands down the stand out of the entire show! I couldn't have been more proud watching her sing her face off and charm the audience in a classy, worthy manner. So much of the musical theatre world has been tainted by crude jokes and over-the-top lyrics, but Brittany's performance was a testament to how talent and great acting is far more entertaining than performances that are meant to shock the audience.
Yesterday, Meg and I met again to go over the details of my own showcase that is coming up. She is an entertainment lawyer (just sworn in to the New York Bar- congrats, Meg!) and retired performer, so she knows the business inside and out. I can't believe how lucky I am to have met her dog sledding almost a year ago. Not only is she a devoted friend who actually wants to sit down and discuss my career with me, but she's more than qualified in doing so. She helped me pick out the two songs I'll be singing, brainstormed a catchy introduction, showed me the best places to print head shots, and offered her legal advice for free whenever I'm asked to sign a performance contract. I love her apart from all the ways she can/has helped me, but it's sure nice to know someone with her knowledge!
I left Meg's studio apartment in high spirits, excited to get home and start practicing my song choices. After a few hours of memorizing and playing around with karaoke tracks on Youtube, Conor texted me and asked if I'd "fancy a late night movie." Why can't all men talk like the ones in Europe? I looked up movie times for 50/50 and Immortals, assuming he'd have no interest in seeing the recently released Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn. When I told him the options and jokingly said that I didn't even look into Breaking Dawn, he said he wouldn't mind if that's what I wanted to see. Bad move, Conor. I'm a girl- clearly, I will take you up on that offer. Once Brittany found out that I'd be spending the evening with Conor and Edward Cullen, she eagerly asked to join...before you knew it, Conor was trapped in the Breaking Dawn theatre with three drooling girls: Brittany, her friend Rebecca, and myself. I barely felt guilty until 15 minutes in, when I realized that this was by far the worst movie I've seen. If I thought it was awful, I can't imagine what an exhausted, 23-year-old male thought of it. The poor guy probably just wanted a relaxing, enjoyable night after his stressful Monday and sleepless weekend. I owe him big time.
Tonight is mine and Brittany's last night together, just the two of us, so we're having a little date night. But right now I have to run to meet Rayna! We're birthday present shopping for Kelly. Hopefully this awful, rainy weather will lighten up a bit...
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