Bailey!

After I found out the news that Meg was moving, I thought perhaps a dog would be a good idea. I pondered a puppy, and then stumbled upon a pet store at 77th and Lexington when I was walking home. I thought I would just go in and take a peak at the puppies, certain that none of them would be that special... 
Well I met this cute King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, whom I've named Bailey. She's adorable and I've visited her three times. I would absolutely love to take her home, but unfortunately I think the finances and logistics of having a dog in the city are too tricky right now...

I emailed my family a picture of Bailey and me and told them I was thinking of getting a pup. Here were the responses:


Dad - "Cute! But you'll have to think hard about your schedule and if you have time to be home to care for a dog. you are on the go all day many days. Poor alone dog."


Mom - "She's adorable but I have a feeling it would be a choice between feeding yourself and feeding the dog.  They are SO expensive the first year :(...maybe when you book your first commercial???    So cute though!!!"


Ross - "So you have a dog now?!?"


The second day I went into the shop and asked to hold Bailey, the mean man who owns the store grouchily yelled, "Are you looking to buy or just wasting my time?" I said, "Well it's the second day in a row that I've come in here asking to hold her, I'm clearly interested." Just then, another customer came up and said, "So do you plan on taking her with you when you go off to college?" I responded that I had already graduated from college, and I lived in the city. He said, "Oh wow, you look so young." I decided that perhaps that was why the pet shop owner didn't take me seriously. 


For now though, I'll just have to visit her before work each day (5 blocks from the apartment where I nanny), and hope that maybe she will not be adopted before I can take her home! :)

A month and a half!

I have now been in New York for a month and a half and am feeling very settled! Though I personally am more settled in here, my life has not settled down at all! Any mornings that I do not have auditions, I try to go to a dance class or work on new audition material. By 2:00 each day, I head to work, and then run around all afternoon, cook a full dinner for five (myself and the four kids), and do the bed-time thing. By 9:00 I'm truly exhausted!

Here is a picture of the chicken that I stuffed with onion, lemon and garlic, and seasoned with olive oil and spices. For those of you who know me well, may I PLEASE have a round of applause for touching that raw chicken with my bare hands? I washed my hands at least fifteen times afterwards, and disinfected everything in sight.



Despite feeling settled in the city, I am in no way forgetting how exciting it is to live here! I went for a run in Central Park on Tuesday, and was in awe of how beautiful nature can be, but also about how beautiful the city is. The views of the Upper West Side reflecting in the reservoir are stunning, and I cannot wait to show everyone who visits my favorite running trail in Central Park! Unfortunately, I did not have my camera on my run, so I can not post a picture. :( Next time!

I do have a picture of the Nicholas Sparks book signing I attended on Monday after my dance class! Nicholas was incredibly friendly, and we talked briefly about being from North Carolina. It was so exciting to finally meet one of my favorite authors!

Nicholas Sparks and me at the Barnes & Noble on 5th Avenue

"Living on a Latte and a Prayer"

This past week was by far the craziest yet... 4 auditions and 2 interviews in 5 days, while also working 32 hours was definitely exhausting. The audition experiences were great though, and the job works surprisingly well with my audition schedule.

Getting ready for my Gossip Girl
 tour guide interview!

One highlight of my week was making it to the final interviews to be a Gossip Girl tour guide. I should find out if I got the job in the next two weeks! It would be a fun little weekend afternoon job to supplement nannying, while also practicing public speaking. All tourguides are actors, and in a way it's like memorizing a one woman show. I love the show, and am hopeful that the job will work out.

Other than those two interviews, my mornings were spent auditioning. Getting ready at 6 a.m. and auditioning is not my favorite, but I try to remind myself that I never know when an audition is going to be the audition that makes the difference. My favorite audition of the week was for Godspell at Telsey + Co. I walked in the room with my 8 bars ready to sing (Yes, that's right, 8) and the lady behind the table started talking to me. She asked me if I went to Chapel Hill, and then told me she was a fellow Tarheel. She could not have been more friendly, and we had a lovely conversation. It was so exciting to meet someone working for such a successful casting agency from my alma mater! Being in the Telsey office is one of the experiences that wakes me up and reminds me that I'm living in New York. Looking at all of the posters from the productions Telsey has cast is so inspiring!

Tonight, William, Geoffrey, Sherrie and I went to Rosa Mexicana. I had wanted to try the restaurant, after hearing rave reviews about their Pomegranite Margaritas, and the food in general, and it was the perfect way to spend a Friday night.

Geoffrey, myself, and William at Rosa Mexicana!

I have a busy weekend ahead, and I'm quickly realizing that weekends do not really exist for actors. There are auditions and rehearsals over the weekends, and if one doesn't take Monday (Actors Equity Day Off) as their day off, a day off does not really happen. Nonetheless, I'm excited to spend time with all of my friends who work normal jobs and DO have weekends off, and I'm thankful to be having the opportunity to rehearse a play as well!

Today I looked like a hooker...for real.

It's been another whirlwind of auditioning here in Manhattan. Today was especially interesting because I went to a dance call for the national tour of "South Pacific." Having been told since the age of 10 when I began auditioning for regional theatre to NEVER wear a costume, I showed up for my dance audition in normal dance clothes. I wore a black leotard, black bloomer shorts, a pink tank, nude tights, and my character heels. I curled my hair and pinned it up on one side in true South Pacific fashion, to hint that I was the right type to play a nurse. Well, I arrived at the audition to find that at least 60 percent of the women auditioning were wearing either old-fashioned swimsuits (far more modest than what I was wearing), or old fashioned cover ups (a conservative version of what we call a "romper" in today's society), which were also way more covering than my skimpy outfit.  Though I knew I was correct in NOT dressing in one of those dated costumes, I looked like the idiot because I was in the minority.  Well, I really looked like an absolute hooker, and became somewhat self-concious. I still danced my heart out, and went on my merry way afterwards, but was slightly paranoid about my outfit from that point forward. Luckily I finished the audition in time to stop in my apartment and change. I wouldn't want the doorman at my nannying job to think I had a second job as a callgirl. To the left is a picture of me at my audition. Of course the girls in the background of the picture were NOT the girls dressed in their conservative South Pacific costumes, but take my word for it...I looked out of place.

Otherwise, I'm feeling rather well-adjusted to the city. It's not without it's ups and downs of course, but I'm starting to feel comfortable here. I love my new gym, New York Sports Club, and my apartment feels like home these days. My room is starting to be consistently messy, which good or bad, I've learned is a sign that I'm settling in. I'm so fortunate to have so many Carolina friends here that I know I can call at any time. I also met some new friends at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on Sunday night, and am really looking forward to getting to know them better! (Many of them are Southern!)

Carly and me at El Rio Grande.

I had a great dinner out celebrating Will's birthday on Friday night at The Red Head. The food was delicious, and the company was better! I love discovering new restaurants.

Saturday I was so happy to spend time with Carly while she was in town! We ate at El Rio Grande, per my employer's suggestion, and it was wonderful! It was so nice to spend time with a friend from home, especially considering I hadn't seen her in four months.

The kids I work for and I are really clicking these days. The 8-year-old is in a drama class, so I'm especially enjoying helping her with her preparation for rehearsals for "Schoolhouse Rock." I love teaching kids to sing and perform.

It's beginning to feel like fall here, which makes me so happy. I've worn long sleeves the past three days, and I cannot even believe how chilly it's been! I can't wait for the leaves to change.

City Life Continues

Will and Me at the Open.
Please note my official ball boy polo.

After a wonderful weekend away from the city in Atlanta, I'm back in the Big Apple. I hit the ground running with a busy Labor Day (filled with social activities, of course).  A rooftop cookout with Southern friends, and one more trip out to Queens for the U.S. Open was the perfect way to celebrate Labor Day.

Bridget, Me, Meg - Labor Day cookout

Today is my first day nannying in the city! I got to know the four children I work with, when I worked for a week at their summer home in Quogue, but today is the first day of school so they're back in the city!  I love back to school time, so I'm excited to live vicariously through the family I work for as they put on their new uniforms, buy school supplies, and start off their new school year. The weather is beautiful up here, and I'm hoping the kids will want to play in the park after school.

In other news, I was cast in a short play! I auditioned last week, and just found out I will be performing in my first New York production in October.  We're not talking Broadway contracts or marquee lights, but it's a step in the right direction, and I'm so excited to be acting!

It's amazing how quickly things happen here in the city. I'm learning to take each day one day at time. I know it sounds cliche, but it is the reality of living in a city that never sleeps; I'm working hard to abandon my planner personality and embrace a life of living in the moment and taking each opportunity as it presents itself.

In LOVE with the US Open!

Last night, I went to the US Open for the first time ever! Will, who attends annually, got tickets for us, and off we rode on the 7 train, out to Flushing, NY. We found out the evening before that we would get to see Andy Roddick play, which doubled the excitement level. We met several nice people as we ate dinner, and watched Isner's match on the big screen.  We then headed into the stadium in time to see Kim Clijsters win, and Roddick warm up. After a coin toss by Usher (OMG),Tipsarevic and Roddick began what was a very good match. 

Usher flipping the coin at the beginning of the match.

Will and me cheering for Roddick!

Go Andy!

Unfortunately, Andy lost in a tie-breaker at the end of the fourth set, but he played hard, especially considering he has mono. I cannot wait to go back to the Open on Monday night! Perhaps Will and I will wear the matching ball boy shirts we purchased...pictures of those will come later! :)

Dancing Through Life...

I WROTE THIS POST YESTERDAY, BUT FORGOT TO POST IT:

On Sunday morning, I took the 6:30 am Jitney back to the city! Farewell, Quogue!

The Jitney...the way to and from the Hamptons.

A beautiful shot of Quogue on my last morning there.

After a rough morning, Sunday ended up being a lovely day! I went out to lunch at Schnippers with my co-nannies, Alex and Amy, and we then ventured downtown with our new friend Bree to take advantage of the Crumbs Cupcake Sale on Wall Street. We enjoyed our cupcakes on some benches outside of Chace Crawford’s apartment, but sadly there was no Chace spotting.

Monday was one of the best days I’ve had in New York! It was an absolute whirlwind, but I was so fortunate to meet with several people I had been trying to catch up with. The kindness and generosity of my friends and acquaintances, and their eagerness to welcome me to the city was overwhelmingly wonderful. I feel so lucky to have a great network of people here.

Hopeful actors in line to audition at Telsey + Co for Wicked.

Now, as I write, I’m sitting on 43^rd Street with hundreds of other actors in an audition line. My concern with germs was quickly pushed to the backburner, when my two options were to either stand for two hours (after waking up at 5am) or sit on the New York sidewalk. I have decided that I will invest in a folding stool to tote around from now on. 

TODAY:

Wow, September 1st! It's hard to believe it's already September, and fall will be here before we know it! Today I'm waiting at yet another audition... I'm the 7th person in line, and this studio has wireless...things are looking up!  Hopefully I will sing my song and leave in time for a nap, because waking up and leaving my apartment in the dark every morning is starting to make me sleepy! I'm looking forward to going to the US Open tonight with my good friend Will, and seeing Andy Roddick play! It will be a nice break from all things artsy. One of the most wonderful things about New York is that there is always something new and different to try.