Monologos de Vagina (Vagina Monologues in spanish)

I saw this performance in spanish at el Museo del Barrio New York and really enjoyed it. It was so different than American performances right now. There were definitely American influences but the acting style of hispanic actresses is different. They speak fast but are understandable. The actresses that night were very good at doing the funny scenes but did not do justice to the emotional ones.

Fashion's Night Out -unfinished

What an adventure. We, three 16 and 17 year old girls from Long Island, were incredibly tired and sweaty by the end of the night but it was so worth the experience. I can't wait to go back next year with more experience and perhaps connections. F.N.O is an event in New York City that has been going on in the city for a few years now. Fashion and clothes stores, top of the chain to the bottom participate in creating events consisting of free stuff, concerts, special guests, fall fashion sneak peaks and significant deals and discounts (on significantly expensive clothes and accessories) and don't forget super long lines.

How to Succeed

It was so much fun to be a part of even as audience member! When Daniel Radcliffe first spoke in an American accent I couldn't stop from laughing. Not because it was bad at all, but because it was so strange to see! I enjoyed watching him so much. It wasn't that he was an amazing actor but he was just so interesting to watch- every move, his face, his voice. I could see the fun the actors were having during the performance as their characters. Even though it was a serious historical topic it was a comedy. I loved that the play used this satire to prove the ridiculousness of the 1950s. The musical part was annoying sometimes because sometimes characters seemed different when singing than when acting but it's a musical. Also, the President Biggley played by John Larquette at some points seemed fake- he was sleeping with women cheating on his wife yet he slipped some flamboyant comments and actions. Doing this once or twice is hilarious but as the character developed it kept recurring in awkward moments and in general but the end made the performance seem unreal.

Overall, I definitely would see it again.

Playing

At work today (lifeguarding) I watched a day camp of young 5 year old kids playing with their adult counselors. It brought me back to my younger days when I used to play with my parents. My dad especially would play with my brother and I by scaring us (into laughter): the claw hand, the salami slam, and of course tickle fights. I used to be so genuinely scared but happy at the same time. My dad was not actually a scary person but he was definitely not being his 9-5 workday adult self. He was being a child self. Now watching these adult counselors playing similarly with these kids- acting crazy and like little kids themselves- I realized life can be so much more fun when you are a more "child-like" carefree person. I said childlike in quotes because we really aren't acting like children we are just being ourselves- a part of ourselves that we've forgotten about. When playing a character I have to be able to some of that playing self because no matter how serious the character is, they are still human and still at one point were children and allow their emotions out like children- happy and scared at the same time...

Also letting go and being my inner child is a lot easier and refreshing. Yesterday I ended up having a tickle fight with one of my friends and by the end of I was out of breathe, my heart was racing and I felt so happy to be alive. The laughter,  the screams, the running around the house was fantastic

Yankee Game

Yankee Game- at the new stadium in the Bronx. It was a slightly different subway ride than I am normally used to. It was easy but I felt much more comfortable with the map near me. Because I was with someone who knew how to travel on the subway much less than I do, I felt that I was leading him through and I didn't want to mess up. I realize though that I should always trust my instinct that if I sense something wrong to assume it is and look to double check it before I continue on. This can be applied to anything in life, I suppose.

At the Yankee Museum I saw (a small amount of) historical references. I was fascinated by the beginnings of it and more so by it's transformation. I would have loved to have seen how differently or similarly people acted at baseball games. I would want to see the business aspect of it a century ago to compare it with what it is now.

The Yankees vs. the Angels. Sitting in a close section I wasn't really able to experience the rowdy perhaps frightening attitudes of die hard fans. (However, this was quite preferred by my mother.) At once point, during the last inning two guys from up higher made their way to the lower seats. They proceeded to make vulgar but funny commentary in the ghetto accent I wish I could master. It was rewarding to be able to do a quick character study on them.

Later I went to midtown and sat on the touristy tckts booth steps and watched people and cars pass on times square. It was an experience like non other. Kind of like a sunset but the opposite as well. It was mostly relaxing to be watching all the commotion from above and not feeling the pressure of being inside of it. It was also nice to observe relationships with people- taking in everyone else.

Hunter College

Tango Class- Free Tango at the Argentine Consulate! It was a lot of fun and I think I definitely got better. I always hated dance classes but this one went at a slow pace and was very helpful.

Hunter College- It seems like a college that would give me a good amount of schooling for an economical price. In fact, if I got into the MaCaulay Honors College I would not have to pay for tuition. I would then be able to afford to rent an apartment in the city which is quite appealing. This Hunter package is an option.

The Help- fantastic movie; I was in love with the acting and the performance as a whole. I cried 3 times and teared up about every two seconds. Casting was well done- the old maid "Constantine" made me tear up every time I saw her. It was all so real! The racist characters were so believable that the audience members where booing the characters because of the racists actions.

NYU & RENT

I'm allergic to cherries. After walking from 14th St. and 6th Avenue to Union Square Park I was feeling in need of a snack. I walked past a fresh fruit stand and was immediately attracted. Finally some healthy and fresh food. I decided to try something new so I bought a pound of sweet white cherries. They tasted pretty good. I knew that cherries always made my lips feel tingly and even itchy but I didn't really accept that I could be allergic. Eating these fresher and juicier cherries made the sensation more intense. I actually felt my throat swelling and closing up. My lips were tingly and the back of my tongue was itchy. It was very strange. I am not allergic to anything else so it was a whole new experience. I am clearly not deathly allergic but I'm sure had I ate more, I would have only made things worse.

NYU and Washington Square Park- I then walked to West 4th and waited for my NYU information session and tour to begin in the park. I found myself by the fountain and the arch dipping my feet into the water. It was relaxing and rejuvenating. I really love this city campus. After the tour and info session, NYU seemed really appealing. I would like to know more about it's theatre program but, from what I already know and how they presented themselves it seemed to be quite good. The only real issue is its cost. 40,000 tuition without room and board. After thinking about it more, NYU is expensive because of all the benefits for students that the school has to pay for: cheap tickets for shows, games, you name it in the city; dorms with eat their own bathroom; LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION; well-known and well-spoken of academic program- in all sections; diversity- in some ways; excellent study abroad opportunities; there's so much more. All in all, this school in particular would be worth the money if I actually take advantage of what it has to offer for the four years. I'm sure I would enjoy myself here. They have the perfect balance in what I want to study. I want a prestigious and well- developed theatre program but not in a secluded conservatory setting. I want to learn and meet other (smart) people who care about what they do and about being in this world. I also want to be able to do something new every weekend or even everyday which is why this city is perfect; this school is definitely high on my list.

Rent at New Worlds Stages- Walking into the theatre, everyone who was there seemed to be really excited to see the show. This reminded me of what Peter Brooks was talking about in The Empty Space when comparing Deadly Theatre to Holy Theatre. The Deadly would have an unresponsive, non attentive and not cooperative audience while the Holy theatre had an audience that was part of the performance in that it made the show better.

New Converse sneakers!