Out my window the leaves are turning really quickly now. I'll be sad when they start to fall off the trees. It's so beautiful right now. Lots more people on the street this morning, as the weather is warm, probably in the high 60s today. I really must try to take the bike over to the Park today. I need to get out of this place.
I find it funny what New Yorkers call a supermarket. There's one on the corner right in front of me in my fourth floor view. Alexandria Supermarket: Cold Beer & Soda * Frozen ... the rest is blocked by the trees. I assure you this is no Schnucks.
The corner diagonal to mine is a large apartment building that is being rehabbed. I actually thought about applying for a job. I can hang drywall, paint, cut boards. It's always noisy, starting at about 7 a.m. A huge dumpster is on the street. It always seems to be on the verge of overflowing. How does it not?
It was fun to watch across the street in our first apartment because there was a youth hostel. The sidewalk was always teeming with groups of young people with too-large backpacks, inspecting their maps, holding cups of Starbucks and looking a bit confused as to how they ended up in this part of town that did not look like their anticipated view of New York City. Zach, Olivia and I often directed or helped carry luggage from the subway when we would see kids who were obviously on their way to the hostel. Their dazed expression at the top of the subway stairs was the give-away. Shock. Confusion. And gratitude when we offered help. Students from all over the world came to stay at that place for about $20 a night.
Some friends have asked about Olivia's school. Not to neglect talking about Alexis or Zachary's schools, but I'll tell a little about Libby's experiences. At LaGuardia this year, around 600 students were chosen from more than 9000 applicants. PPAS, while much smaller, about 1000 kids auditioned, and only 100 were admitted—15 into the musical theatre program, most of those were freshman. Statistically, Olivia should not have gotten in. But she got in both schools. The days leading up to the actual auditions were agonizing. We walked by each school a couple of times, and Olivia would either want to cry or throw up. (She'll hate me for saying that.)
The PPAS audition was first. The school is old, but right in midtown, theatre district, technically Hell's Kitchen. She found the audition to be nice. She didn't feel nervous. A day or so later she got a call that she had been accepted. We were shocked and excited. So now she felt like the pressure was off somewhat for her LaGuardia audition. That audition was more nerve-wracking. A huge school near Lincoln Center. The audition didn't feel as good. The people in the room were not friendly. Actually the whole school gave off a negative vibe for us. The next day she got a call that she had been accepted there too. Wow! Incredible.
Then began four agonizing days of deciding which school to attend, because we had to tell each school our choice. We asked for much help from friends, and ultimately chose PPAS because they have a defined musical theatre program. We were well aware that the academics were not as high at this school as at La!, but performing in theatre is ultimately why she is here. She was #1 in her class of 724 back in Illinois, 5.0 GPA. So it was a little bittersweet for me I have to admit.
Once she got past the first day of school, things have been great. Imagine a school where everyone is like you. No one is labeled weird or the 'theatre kid' cause they all are! There's full tolerance and integration of all races and sexual orientation. She has made so many new friends. That's a lot for a girl who felt like she had no friends at her old school. Many superficial acquaintances, but no one who understood her passion to be in New York or in a Broadway show.
The trade-off is that there is no Muny or Stages for her to be a part of a show or teen touring group. She misses performing. But she is getting great training. Academic studies the first half of the school-day, and the rest is focused on dance, singing, acting. She hopes to find an agent, and many things to audition for!
I'll keep everyone posted, and updated. Stories about Zach and Alexis to follow soon!
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