I have always felt a connection to my ancestry (as lame as that sounds). History, especially of "my people" has always fascinated me, and truly been a point of interest in my life thus far. But, recently I realized I don't know that much. It is not that I don't listen when family stories are passed down, but it seems as though not many people talk about it. Just this evening at dinner my daddy was talking about his grandfather, my great grandfather. The stories were classic, like straight out of a novel or movie, and so epic and iconic to the culture of that particular history. It was incredible. Like an entire world was opened up to me that I never knew existed. Everyone always wants their family's story to be interesting, but it never is. Everyone wants to be the descendant of the brave Native American warrior who saved his nation, or have a great great grandmother who fell in love with a foreigner and although everyone warned against the stranger, she followed her heart and found true happiness, but that never happened. The most it ever was, was that someone immigrated and settled down, started a family, and the story is familiar from there.
Tonight though, this long time theory of coming from an ordinary family was disproved. My predecessors turned out to be interesting people with stories and passions of their own. My great grandfather along with many relatives led lives worthy of remembering. Of course the problem with this is that I want to take this project into my hands. I want to remember and record. Once my dad started telling the stories, I knew I wanted to write about these amazing people who created the family I know and love today. Thats just what I need, another project and another huge undertaking, but I am going to try to keep it manageable. I am going to try to write things down so that they are remembered. Seems doable, right?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
after my first semester...
"They" say time flies when your having fun, and boy are "they" right. My first semester flew right by me, along with all the wonderful moments it brought. Unfortunately, I did not keep up this blog very well, but I am resolving to rededicate myself. In the upcoming months I am going to try to keep up with "Alexandra in the City," so that I can document my life and share my adventures. So, with that in mind I going to summarize my first semester. Wow, that's a lot to remember. Okay, here goes...
3) I spent one wonderful day in Staten Island with my Uncle, Aunt, and two little cousins. It is really cool being able to see my family regularly, after so many years of being the long distance cousin. I got spend some of halloween weekend with them and see my cousins in their costumes. It was great.
4) I also got to spend a weekend with my best friend Steph at her house in Connecticut. Steph is one of my oldest friends and it is amazing to me how much we have grown and how it doesn't seem to change the love we have for each other. She is an incredible person, and a wonderful friend. I am lucky to have her.
5) Through my Script Analysis class I was able to attend a breathtaking art exhibition. In the Armory on Park Ave a man did an exploration of Da Vinci's The Last Supper. It was done in two rooms - the first had four ENORMOUS projector screens that were engulfed with city scenes, paintings, birds, dancers, and music that echoed through the room. The next room had a model of the table from The Last Supper in the center. At one end, was a recreation of the room in which the actual painting resides, and through a series of lighting effects the painting was brought to life and its complexity was shown. On the other side of the table was a video of the painting on a zoomed in level that showed each fleck of paint and the deterioration of it over time. In the final part the the exhibition another banquet painting involving Jesus was explored. The overall effect of the performance was quite powerful and awe inspiring. It brought new life to The Last Supper, and created a deeper meaning and understanding for me.
6) Another treat for me was when my parents came to visit me in the city. I loved being able to share my new home with them. I look up to my parents so much. It was important to me, to have them be a large part of my growing life. With my parents, on several different occasions, we discovered a delicious restaurant called Candle Cafe (that is mostly vegetarian and has a delicious peanut butter and jelly smoothie), and my mom and I explored the Museum of Natural History with my boyfriend Spencer and my Grandma. Also, I was able to explore the holiday fair in Union Square with my parents and my aunt. That day we also discovered an awesome restaurant called Chat & Chew. My parents are not only my dearest friends, but they support me in everything I do. It is because of my mommy and daddy that I am able to find such joy in life, and live my dreams.
7) I also spent countless hours with my roommates: Alida, Aly, Allyson, MaryKate, Kelly, Lucca, and Joey. They are near and dear to my heart, and some of my fondest memories were spent around our kitchen table with these beautiful people. Whether going to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, the banana chronicles in our kitchen, trying to record a cd & belting Firework at the top of our lungs, going crazy and dancing like fools, getting dressed up to see Harry Potter 7, having our minds blown after seeing Black Swan, and just hanging out together. I love these people, and cannot wait to spend another semester getting on each other's nerves and loving every moment of it. I love my chickens!
8) My friend Lindsey took me to see the show Scottsboro Boys. We were able to sit second row center, and I have never had such an amazing experience at a show. It was hilarious, heartbreaking, bittersweet, exciting, mesmerizing, and exhilarating. I have never been more moved or touched in such a way by any other show. It was truly an incredible experience.
9) My boyfriend Spencer and I went through a really hard time during this semester, but things have smoothed out and we are in a much happier place now. I was very lucky that when he came home from school for break, we were able to spend some time together in and around the city. I was thrilled to share my life in New York with him. We wandered around, went out to dinner, spent time with my roommates, went to a really cool French restaurant, went to a museum, conquered a shoe warehouse sale, and navigated all over the place. We also spent some time with some friends in the City, some who live there and others who were visiting. Most importantly we strutted around New York City, and laughed a lot.
10) The city itself if the last experience I am going to write about today. I am continually amazed with all it has to offer: the amazing people I work with like my acting and voice teachers, the humane society where I am able to volunteer, the libraries, the amazing food, the endless museums with suggested entrance fees, the adventure of grocery shopping, the sick shopping, SHOWS, and so so so much more. During my time in the city to come, I want to take advantage of all there is to offer. I want to use the city, and experience everything.
OH!!!!!!! I also got a TATTOO!!! It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My spirit animal is an elephant. They appear unexpectedly in my life often, and they are source of strength and self-empowerment for me. So, I did it, after a lot of contemplation. And I am happy to report that more than a month later, and I have never been happier with a decision that I made.
Things I did my first semester of college:
1) I was dying to explore the bookstore called The Strand down on Broadway and 12th Street. It is supposed to have miles and miles of books, both used and new. So, one afternoon this past fall I made it happen. I hopped on the 6 train to Union Square, and made my way over to The Strand. I spent the rest of the day wandering it's isles, and devouring the shelves upon shelves of books. It was as if I was looking for the perfect find: a book that had been left on a shelf, forgotten, waiting to fall into my hands. And, lucky me just that happened. There were used books lined up outside the store, on sale, for about a dollar each. As I rummaged through memoirs, travel books, diet books, novels, children's books, and religious books, I stumbled upon a old looking green book. The worn cover felt natural in my hand as I flipped through the book, reading the whimsical title and cryptic dedication. It was mine. Back inside after more perusing and exploring I found a purple book with no title at all, but about fifteen little stars in the place where the title should have been. It felt magical, and this book became mine too. I took both home to my apartment and added them to my steadily growing personal library, which was thus far made up of mostly plays and acting books. Who knows if I will ever actually read these two miscellaneous books from The Strand, but to me they held a little of the magic that makes up New York City. That mysterious, enchanting force that draws me to the city and the life it offers.
2) Another priceless moment in my first months in the city happened with my lovely friend Meredith. After finishing class on a friday, Meredith asked if I wanted to go to the Bryant Park Holiday Fair with her and I gladly accepted. So we bundled up, her more smartly than I, and we made our way down to the park. The crowed pathways were filled with people strolling and holiday shopping, and the park oozed with holiday spirit and cheer. It was electric. We spent a few hours browsing through the shops and watching the ice skaters either excel with ease or comically struggle to find their groove on the ice. But, after a while we became hungry (and not to mention more than a little cold). Meredith and I agreed on chinese food, ordered to the dorms, and then made our way back to meet the delivery boy. When we finally sat down to eat, I could not complain. The vegetable lo mien hit the spot, and although it may not have been the best lo mien I had ever had, that night it was! I had leftovers and excitedly headed back to my apartment to put away my leftovers so I could have a delicious meal the next day also. Now, just my luck, as I'm trying to open the door to my apartment I drop my lo mien and that's the end of that. I'm not going to lie to you, it was pretty damn funny. I know I'm a klutz, but when faced with my shortcomings I cannot help but laugh.
4) I also got to spend a weekend with my best friend Steph at her house in Connecticut. Steph is one of my oldest friends and it is amazing to me how much we have grown and how it doesn't seem to change the love we have for each other. She is an incredible person, and a wonderful friend. I am lucky to have her.
5) Through my Script Analysis class I was able to attend a breathtaking art exhibition. In the Armory on Park Ave a man did an exploration of Da Vinci's The Last Supper. It was done in two rooms - the first had four ENORMOUS projector screens that were engulfed with city scenes, paintings, birds, dancers, and music that echoed through the room. The next room had a model of the table from The Last Supper in the center. At one end, was a recreation of the room in which the actual painting resides, and through a series of lighting effects the painting was brought to life and its complexity was shown. On the other side of the table was a video of the painting on a zoomed in level that showed each fleck of paint and the deterioration of it over time. In the final part the the exhibition another banquet painting involving Jesus was explored. The overall effect of the performance was quite powerful and awe inspiring. It brought new life to The Last Supper, and created a deeper meaning and understanding for me.
6) Another treat for me was when my parents came to visit me in the city. I loved being able to share my new home with them. I look up to my parents so much. It was important to me, to have them be a large part of my growing life. With my parents, on several different occasions, we discovered a delicious restaurant called Candle Cafe (that is mostly vegetarian and has a delicious peanut butter and jelly smoothie), and my mom and I explored the Museum of Natural History with my boyfriend Spencer and my Grandma. Also, I was able to explore the holiday fair in Union Square with my parents and my aunt. That day we also discovered an awesome restaurant called Chat & Chew. My parents are not only my dearest friends, but they support me in everything I do. It is because of my mommy and daddy that I am able to find such joy in life, and live my dreams.
7) I also spent countless hours with my roommates: Alida, Aly, Allyson, MaryKate, Kelly, Lucca, and Joey. They are near and dear to my heart, and some of my fondest memories were spent around our kitchen table with these beautiful people. Whether going to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, the banana chronicles in our kitchen, trying to record a cd & belting Firework at the top of our lungs, going crazy and dancing like fools, getting dressed up to see Harry Potter 7, having our minds blown after seeing Black Swan, and just hanging out together. I love these people, and cannot wait to spend another semester getting on each other's nerves and loving every moment of it. I love my chickens!
8) My friend Lindsey took me to see the show Scottsboro Boys. We were able to sit second row center, and I have never had such an amazing experience at a show. It was hilarious, heartbreaking, bittersweet, exciting, mesmerizing, and exhilarating. I have never been more moved or touched in such a way by any other show. It was truly an incredible experience.
10) The city itself if the last experience I am going to write about today. I am continually amazed with all it has to offer: the amazing people I work with like my acting and voice teachers, the humane society where I am able to volunteer, the libraries, the amazing food, the endless museums with suggested entrance fees, the adventure of grocery shopping, the sick shopping, SHOWS, and so so so much more. During my time in the city to come, I want to take advantage of all there is to offer. I want to use the city, and experience everything.
the buck
So, maybe it's cliche. Maybe I am the quintessential New Yorker. Maybe I'm being silly, but I love Starbucks. My family and I are coffee people, we always have been and always will be. Starbucks happens to be my favorite coffee shop. I would never say no to coffee and there are many places with much more charm, but I love Starbucks. Each time I pass a Starbucks I have to pass quickly and promise my self another one later. I love to try new drinks, and find new favorites. Nothing beats walking the sixteen blocks to school in the cold wind, with a hot cup of Starbucks coffee in my hand. Its the taste, the look, the idea, the satisfaction - perfection.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
first weeks in the city . . .
What could be better than waking up to the sound of a cement drill on the pavement outside? For me, nothing. It may not sound enticing or charming to others, but anything that comes along with living in the city is perfect. Whether it is unfriendly traffic, early morning bus rides, or walking forty blocks, life in Manhattan is just what I want. So what if the only Trader Joe's is downtown in Union Square? That just means I will have another adventure to pursue.
Its not that I am naive, or that I live in a charmed world (although sometimes I like to think I do). I just finally feel right in my surroundings. I feel like I found my groove, my drumbeat to follow, and heck, why not be happy? Each moment I have spent in the city has found a way to be positive and exciting, and I know it will continue to be that way. So, let the exploring begin.
Thus far in my New York experience, I have come upon several places that I know I will return to. The first is Central Park. Everyone's favorite, I realize, but what is there not to love? Here we are in this massive city surrounded by concrete and glass, and suddenly smack in the middle is a breath of fresh air. A haven of green. A park with endless possibilities. On my first excursion to Central Park, I explored the well-worn paths that it contains. Twisting and turning through the park I found many wonders. As a little girl my grandparents took me to see the statue of Balto, the rescue dog from Alaska, and it is a memory that has been put on a pedestal in my mind. Low and behold, the first treasure I found when exploring Central Park was this statue. Although it seemed much smaller than I recalled, and much less impressive, it still held the wonder and warm feelings that I remembered form when I was a little girl. I also found the Central Park Zoo, which my roommates and I explored together. Its been a while since I have been to a zoo, and the air buzzed with innocence and excitement. I felt like a kid again, taking pictures of the seals and standing on tiptoes to see the polar bears eat their lunch. Although it is not the most extensive zoo, I spent a few lovely hours in complete contentment.
I wasn't able to cover the whole park, but I plan to someday. It is a place of relaxation in a very high strung city, and I cannot imagine myself keeping my distance. In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "I'll be back."
Another special place I found was the Farmer's Market downtown at Union Square. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, and one of the biggest dilemmas I have had since moving to the city has been finding affordable, edible produce. My parents suggested I try this Farmer's Market, and once I was there I knew my problems were solved. Every weekend down at Union Square there is a charming Farmer's Market where all different kinds of people gather with their produce, art, baked goods, and much more. Not only is it a great and affordable place to shop, but it is also a pleasure to be in the midst of this market. The atmosphere is fresh and diverse. Last week I spent an afternoon at the market, and had to drag myself away. The rows and rows of different vegetables are beautiful. It is like a scene out of a painting: each radish is plump and red, the carrots are huge, the smell of bread or honey or flowers is around each corner, and the people weave in and out of each stand buying or selling. It is beautiful and exciting, stimulating and ravishing. It is something I would recommend for anyone and everyone.
I am so excited to continue on my journey in life and in the city! I feel so lucky to have these opportunities at my fingertips each and every day. I find myself often walking around with a huge smile on my face. Although I feel silly, I cannot manage to wipe it off. I am just so happy to be here, life feels perfect. Maybe I do live in a charmed world. I guess its just the way you look at it. With that being said, the Farmer's Market began several hours ago and there is a bookstore in the neighborhood I have been meaning to check out. What am I doing on the computer?
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