Put some south in yo mouth

I've realized that having a healthy dose of "south" in my life in the city is crucial to maintaining a positive attitude and loving this city. The city life can be tough, Northerners are brash, chivalry is virtually inexistent, and it's hard not to get homesick for Southern hospitality, and the wonderful things about North Carolina. I definitely don't want to move back anytime soon, but I do miss it.

chapel hill meets NYC

My solution = game days at Brother Jimmy's.



Yesterday, I got a group of my dear Carolina friends together for the UNC vs. UVA game. Not only was it a great opportunity to see some of my favorite people, but it was like being temporarily transported to the south for a few hours. Truth be told, we didn't really pay attention to the football...we just wore our Carolina blue, ate southern food, and drank beer out of "He's Not" cups (trademark cups shipped up from a UNC Bar). I felt so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people, and though it made me really miss my UNC friends who aren't here (THE JAM), it made me really appreciate my UNC friends who are. There's something very special about this group of people who knows me better than anyone in this city...they're really more like family than friends, and I am so thankful for them.

great people, great fun

love these friends.

we look like we're ready to tailgate.

my favorite couple

Where did August go?

So many things have happened since August 12!! I don’t even know where to begin.

I’ll start with the constants that haven’t really changed… I’m still auditioning, it’s still going well.  I’m still working at Brother Jimmy’s, and I still love it! I still live on the Upper East Side, and I still don’t have laundry or a dishwasher.

Now on for a little more “excitement.”

I have a new roommate, Sarah, and she is FANTASTIC! We have the best time together. She is so laidback, and it’s such a treat to come home to a positive environment. Her cheerful attitude is infectious, and seeing her discover Manhattan for the first time is giving me a new appreciation for this city that I’ve totally taken for granted the past few months. Her relaxed attitude has helped me relax (always a good thing), and as a result my auditions, my acting, and my quality of life have all improved drastically. I love living with her, and feel so blessed that we just happened to both need roommates at the same time. She just turned 25 last week, and we had a great celebration!

Sarah and me on her 25th birthday!

party time!

I’ve been babysitting “for fun” here and there as supplement to my hostess work at Brother Jimmy’s. I say “for fun” sort of jokingly, because babysitting is a job.  However the main two families I’ve been babysitting for are both such pleasures to be around. One family with three kids never fails to keep me laughing! I love playing games, and hearing the hysterical things the kids say. We have a blast together! My favorite conversation so far went something like this:

Emily: Bye Buddy! See you tomorrow!

Four year old: What? You’re leaving me?

Emily: Yeah, but I’ll be back.

Four year old: WHERE are you going!?

Emily: I’m going home for the night!

Four year old: Man, Emily, you’re going to miss a good time… a real good time tonight.

The other family I sit for occasionally is my favorite baby ever, Henry.  He is more fun every time I babysit for him. He’s six months, and so he’s starting to really respond.  I hate it when he’s napping because I just want him to wake up so we can play! :) 

I got to go home for 5 days in August, and it was AWESOME. I made it out of the city just before Hurricane Irene. I stayed with my parents in Raleigh, spent quality family time with them, saw several good friends, ate at my favorite restaurants, went to see two shows downtown, shopped with Mom, ate lots of Chic-fil-A, and generally had a great time. I also got to spend a day in Chapel Hill where I visited former professors, stopped by ADPi, saw some wonderful younger friends who are still in school, got to go to a class (my former voice studio!!!), ate at Sutton’s with Ross, ran through my entire repertoire book with my former accompanist, and rehearsed my song for Celeste’s wedding with Dr. Rhodes! I love North Carolina!

Other highlights from the past month:

Seeing Lion King with Marsha and Ali, and going out to dinner with Marsha, Ali and Claire in the city!

Cousins!

Coaching with the incredible Bob Cline… a casting director and friend who never fails to impress me.

Having lots of girls nights with Bridget! So glad we live in the same neighborhood now!

Going to the US Open with Will, our annual Labor Day tradition, and seeing three matches!

at the U.S. Open

Eating at Times Square Applebees with William and Geoff. Quality tourist move right there.

Seeing Sherrie and Matty’s Stevie Wonder Cover Band, “The Shades,” perform live at Ella Lounge!

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered"

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Happy Anniversary to me!

Truth be told, I forgot yesterday was my one-year until about 10:30 am when I was walking down Lexington Ave, and I thought, "Wow this is a gorgeous day. It may be the prettiest day since I lived here... wait a second... I moved last August... Oh WOW today's my one-year." I had already scheduled auditions, and I had to work that night, so I didn't exactly do a big celebration, but it was fun nonetheless! I met up with a few of my favorite girls at Brother Jimmy's after work (they were so sweet to meet me out at 11:30pm during the week), and had drinks.

Celebrating at Brother Jimmy's!
Love these girls
(hate how dark this picture is!)

While I didn't party all day, I did a lot of thinking and reflecting. I thought about whether or not I have accomplished my goals for myself, and the answer is "yes" for about 90% of the realistic ones, and "sort of" for about 50% of the reach goals. (For example, I'm not starring in Priscilla Queen of the Dessert on Broadway...bummer. HAHA) Then, of course, so many things have happened that I didn't even foresee enough to make goals regarding them. All things considered, I'm pleased with where I am, and look forward to see where I am in a year! It's amazing how much can change in a year.

When I texted my parents, informing them that it was my one-year anniversary, my dad responded with "Yee haw!! Have a happy day!" My mom texted me and said, "Wow! Does it seem longer or shorter than a year?" I responded with, "I feel like I've been through enough shit for 5 years, but time has moved quickly." She responded, "I get that." My text was the jaded New Yorker side of me coming out, and I think a more eloquent way to express that is: "I've learned more in the past year than I did for all of college, but time has flown by so quickly." To be completely honest, I've learned many things the "hard way," but I think that's pretty common in one's first year out of school, and even more common in a city as challenging as New York.

I've learned a lot about:
myself
acting
show business
New York
people
shoes
friendships
public transportation
scheduling
relationships
kids (SO MUCH ABOUT THIS ONE)
money
accents/losing one

I could probably write a book, with each chapter being about what I learned in those categories this year, and in actuality, I probably will. For now, I'm going to stop blogging, and go begin the second year in my life as a New Yorker.

So many celebrations!

Frying Pan with my UNC friends!

The second half of July was celebration central in NYC! So many friends of mine had birthdays, got engaged, got promotions... nothing too exciting happened to me, but it sure was fun going out and celebrating with everyone!

dancing with the birthday girl,
Katie Jane, at Libation

Katie Jane's Birthday

Julie and Stan's belated engagement party! They're so cute.

Equally exciting was Leslie's return to the city after going on tour in "Wizard of Oz." It is GREAT to have her back.

moving Leslie from storage unit to her
new apartment, in my neighborhood!

Starting my job at Brother Jimmy's has been awesome. It's busy and crazy at times, but it's by far the best restaurant I could have ever asked for. Everyone has been so welcoming. I told my friend that training felt like Bid Day at Carolina, because all of the girls were introducing themselves and welcoming me! There is no shortage in attractive (often Southern) guys that come in, which is a nice little perk. The managers are kind, everything is organized, and the food is great!  I'm really happy to be working there!

Meg moved out officially, and took the majority of the apartment with her, so I've been doing a lot of rearranging. I've purchased a lot of things to replace what she brought home with her, and still have a long way to go. It's been a lot of work, but fun getting to choose the color schemes for the different rooms, and decorate a little bit. So far, my favorite is my blue and white bathroom, with the blue seersucker shower curtain. Otherwise, I am waiting on a lot of big decorating decisions until my new roommate arrives, because I want her to feel like it's her apartment too!

swimming in the ocean with William

As an early birthday celebration for William, William, Geoffrey, Alexis and I went to Long Beach for the day on Saturday. It was wonderful to be out of the city, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. It won't ever compare to an NC beach, but it's pretty fantastic for the north.

beach bound on the train with Geoff!

Summer has been great, but I'm ready for fall. It has been SO hot here, and nothing is worse than sweating in the subways, underground, where it's 15 degrees warmer than on the street. I know this month of August will be a scorcher, but September is going to be fantastic, I just know it!

Chicago!

Last weekend, I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to go to Chicago for the first time! One of my best friends, Ashley, had a business trip there, and I got to fly out and meet her for the weekend! It is officially one of my favorite places I've ever been...EVER. It is so clean, the architecture is incredible, the people are friendly, and the river is gorgeous. I am quickly doing everything I can to figure out how to book a show there...asap.

Brunch on the River

I arrived on Friday night, we had drinks with some of her friends, and had a fun, chill night out in the city. We slept in Saturday, had a delicious brunch on the river, and then began exploring. We shopped, went to the Art Institute, and had appetizers at the top of the John Hancock building.

John Hancock Building!

The coolest coincidence that happened in Chicago: We were walking past the big theatre there, and she pointed it out to me, seeing as I love theatre. I looked at the marquis and saw that "Beauty and the Beast" was playing! I realized that my good friend Carter is covering the Beast and Gaston, but is in the ensemble every night, and immediately texted him to confirm that this was his production. He confirmed, and Ashley and I bought tickets for that night! We saw the show from dress circle, and then had dinner with Carter and his girlfriend Brittany (she's also on the tour), afterwards!

Carter and me after his show

Sunday, we got up early, had a delicious breakfast at Corner Bakery (a new favorite chain of mine...Panera, watch out), went on the river architecture cruise, and learned a lot about the history of Chicago! We shopped some more, ventured down Michigan Ave, and had Garrett's popcorn! We saw "The Bean," and the gardens.

The Bean

My favorite painting in the world! Up close and in person!

This was one of the best weekends ever! Ashley was such a sweet host, and so gracious to go to the touristy things for the millionth time so I could see them. The trip was far too short, but it was so much fun to catch up with Ash and have quality time together!

A little bit of this, a little bit of that (One of my favorite Ken Strong quotes)

July has been a really good month for me. I have had much more scheduling flexibility, which has allowed me to be very productive with auditions, dance classes, seminars etc. As the title of this post reflects, it's been a "little of this and a little of that." I feel like I have been able to dive into the theatre world like never before (I started working 5 days after I moved here in August), grow a lot as an actress. Being able to dedicate myself to theatre 100% has been awesome. I'm getting more audition appointments than before, and giving better auditions, because I am not rushed to get to work by 2:30 or 3:00. I am really thankful for this time. Though it's hard financially (not working), it's a nice change of pace, and one that I really needed.  I honestly feel like I'm working harder than ever before, I'm just not working as a nanny for six hours a day. 

Henry! 

I babysit my friend/former professor's adorable son Henry sometimes, but he's so much fun that it doesn't even feel like work. I love that kid! It's such a treat watching him grow! He's four months old!

Me as Barbie

Another interesting odd job I picked up was being Barbie for a birthday party, for the same company that sent me out as Princess Jasmine last month. The costume and wig were pretty rough, but it was a good time nonetheless.

I just got a job at Brother Jimmy's, and I start Monday, so that will be fun! I think it will be a good fit, and I'm really excited! :)

Proud to be an American, Happy to be a New Yorker

Fireworks over the Hudson River

The Fourth of July in New York was absolutely fabulous. I actually spent most of the weekend up in Rye babysitting for the most wonderful family ever! They go to my church, Redeemer, and spending time with them is such a treat. I love the kids so much! I was honestly sad to leave when it was time to come back to the city, because it felt like a vacation.

My girlfriends and me on the boys' rooftop

The Fourth of July was so fun though, and it was great to spend it with friends! Will and I had brunch at the Standard that morning, and then walked along the High Line.  The Standard is honestly one of the best brunch places in the city, I think! It was great catching up with him! That evening, I got together with friends and watched the fireworks over the Hudson. Fireworks were shot off of every barge, and it was truly spectacular. We watched from a rooftop, which made it all the more exciting! Celebrating July 4 in New York is an experience I truly think everyone should have at some point in their life!

friends watching the fireworks :)

Reid & Me