Wrapping paper for Christmas

Merry Christmas

(the green way)

Step 1:

Pick your favorite magazine. Gently rip out the pages and lay your favorite side face down.

Step 2:

Tape both sides. And make sure you tape the edges.

Step 3:

Wrap and add ribbon if you'd like.

Option Number 2:

Find a brown paper bag. Cut it so that it lays flat. Lay the printed side up.

Cut and wrap.

Finished Product!

Yay!!

When the store runs out of wrapping paper...

or

When you decide you want to be a little more crafty/green...

Merry Christmas! <3

Hey friends!

So its been awhile since I've posted. To update everyone I have lived in Des Moines, IA all summer. I will have to say that that city is one of my favorite cities in the world, and yes I mean world. I lived with my cousin Andy Drish and Dane Maxwell. Met some amazing people and had a ton of fun at work at the Hessen Haus in downtown DSM. I took a class at the Wilderness Field Station studying ornithology and was in Ely, MN for a month. This entire summer was filled with experiences and wonderful people. Each and every thing that I did was amazing. If I were to make a perfect summer...It would look just like this one did. I'm currently sitting in my new room in Brandt 10 on Coe's campus. In about 1 hour I'll be meeting the Orientation in the Wilderness kids that I, along with 3 other leaders, will be leading over the next week back at the field station in Ely. I'm excited to get back there to Karla's cooking and Harlo's funny comments. I found a children's book in a small bookstore the last time I was in Ely called One-Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova and it's probably one of the cutest books I've ever read. Two other books that I read this summer were The Postmistress by Sarah Blake and Water for Elephants by Sara Cruen.

Today in the Big Apple

I would have to say that tonight was one of the most special evenings yet here in the big NYC. We were graced with the Metropolitan Opera. I'm not going to lie...studying opera in music history was painful. But after this evening, watching the beautiful performance of Don Pasquale, I have a new born love for opera. A love I never thought would be apart of my musical palette. This piece was premiered in Paris in 1843 written by Gaetano Donizetti. The opera in very very short was about Don Pasquale and how he wants to punish his nephew, Ernesto, for not marrying who Pasquale wants him to marry. Instead Ernesto is in love with the beautiful Norina. The Dr. Malatesta tricks Pasquale into marring his 'sister' Sofronia (aka Norina). Norina pretends to be Sofronia, 'marries' (it was fake) Pasquale, then spends most of his money, drives him crazy to the point that he wants her out of his house. Then Pasquale allows his nephew Ernesto and Norina to actually get married. After 2 1/2 hours of wonderful music and beautiful voices I can say that my musical ear is content. During intermission I noticed a woman at the top of the stairs in a wheelchair. I was thirsty...everyone else was thirsty (this was 1.5 hrs into the show)...so I figured maybe she too was thirsty. I went over to her and said 'ma'am would you like me to get you a glass of water?' She was so surprised. :) I got one for her then proceeded to have a wonderful conversation with her. Her name is Shirley and she served 25 years in the service. She was stationed in Hawaii during WWII. She said that she has lived a happy life and that her time in the Army was 'fun!' I can say that I have NEVER heard the word 'fun' and 'Army' in the same sentence. She then said "You have the ability to make every situation what you want it to be." Such wisdom. I love it. We talked about Iowa, about my program, and about teaching kids. She then told me of a man who went to Venezuela and started a youth orchestra with kids there. I have yet to look up who this man is...but I plan on getting in contact with him, he's only 30. That in itself has shown me that much is possible over the next ten years.

Today has been a day where I came to realize that teaching and working with children is the most gratifying experience ever. I absolutely love working with the kids at PS 38. Second and third graders have such an energy and a passion for what they do. If they're going to try...they're going to try hard. If they're going to mess around...they're going to do it with vigor. If they're going to cry.....you guest it...they're going to cry. There is such a young spirit in this kids. They love coming into the classroom and saying "Miss Amanda...look what I can do!" or "Miss Amanda, can you fix this for me?" A little girl cried today (evidently she cries for attention all day everyday...) but I took her out of the class and asked what was wrong, talked with her in a quiet voice...and said "hey! it's ok!!" Her attitude changed after about 5 minutes and after a couple more reassuring smiles. I learned a piece of advice from a very wise person in my life (my sister) and she said that "You are in complete control of your children's happiness" Granted I have no children of my own...but I've applied that directly to the kids that I'm working with. I feel that it is absolutely necessary to take each child's home life into consideration. School is supposed to be a safe, fun, learning environment. I feel that the instructor/teacher has complete control of the attitude in the classroom.

So I believe that it is safe to say that I am in the process of learning a lot. We are exactly 1 month into the program. With exactly 2 months left. Needless to say I'll be working all summer to pay off these darn credit card bills!!! :-) but that's ok. I believe that it's all totally worth it. I have met so many wonderful people. I have seen so many beautiful things. And one other thing that I'm learning here...is.... Who cares what you do?! Who cares where you do it?! Who cares how you get there?! Who cares?! Be yourself...say hi to strangers (dont freak family...I only say hi to nice strangers...in public areas...like the opera) Take risks. Because what is the worst that can happen? Well...you could learn from it. Or...you could have an amazing story to tell the rest of the world about. So here is me telling the world about it. About what I've done. And what I have yet to do.

<3

A

PS

On a side note...please pray for the people and children who fight cancer every day. Please pray for strength in their everyday life. And pray that they continue to see the beautiful things in life.

Hey Big Apple! What's in store for tomorrow???

Chinatown

NYC Ballet

Museum of Moving Image

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

AND

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!

Interception Packers!!! Touchdown

Packers!!!

Haha... :)

Ok so I feel like it's time for an update! Let's start with today and move backwards.

Sunday:

I went to brunch with Isa at a little place in the East Village. Then walked around Chinatown and popped some confetti poppers. The streets were covered with confetti!! Little kids (including Isa and me) were popping those little things you throw on the ground and go 'POP!'. The shops were filled with people hustlin our money for scarves, gold, purses, hats, and sunglasses. Then we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was quite chilly but a beautiful day just the same. (the score is currently 21-10 Packers at the half and the Black Eyed Peas are going to do the 1/2 time show!....oh half time show...how you disappointed me.)

Saturday: I spent at the Museum of the Moving Image, in Queens, starting at 10am and leaving around 3pm. This was a very interesting museum because it started with how movies started out; as flip books etc. There was a ton of filming equipment. Lots of neat stuff. It was nap time around 3pm. I grabbed some food then the subway back into Manhattan. I got back and ended up having tea with a friend. I had to go into Brooklyn to see a my boss play with her group at a Jewish Synagogue. It was suuppper cool. Then we went down to the Brighton Boardwalk. (for all you midwesteners reading this...a boardwalk is an area right by the ocean) This was beautiful. Windy, cold and wet. I ran through the snow which was on top of the beach...went to the part that was beach, found a shell and was 5 feet away from the Atlantic Ocean. :)

Friday: I had a violin lesson which went quit well. Met up with Isa for some sushi and hookah. I then met up with Donnie at Ha! and spent some time at Hourglass and made lots of new friends. I was not in bed till 8am. :-) Life is good.

Thursday: This day was spent at the Whitney Museum.

Wednesday: We saw The Whipping Man. Beautiful production.

Tuesday: I spent the day in Brooklyn helping Rebecca Cherry (my boss) at PS 38, a public grade school. I helped her teach 2nd and 3rd graders how to play the violin. :) This was one of the best days I've had yet.

Monday: Relaxing day. Went to Black Swan with Ellen and Britt. We walked out of the theater and directly into Lincoln Center. If you've seen the movie think back to the part where she walks by a fountain...and then to the stage doors. And if you haven't seen the movie...do. Well, after the movie the 3 of us walked in the exact spot where she walked. It was surreal.

Sunday: Dizzy's Club Coca Cola to listen to an aaaamazing jazz group. The bassist was crazy good.

Saturday: I sat in the Pit of Lion King. This was interesting experience. The musicians were all very friendly. I was also back stage and got to see some of the dancers and costuming. Dinner with the group in Little Italy. Then out with Isa again. :)

Friday: NYC Ballet! Stunning. 'nuff said. The inside was beautiful.

Adjectives for the past 10 days: Beautiful. Stunning. Amazing. Awesome. I'd have to say it's be a great 10 days.

in Neeewwww Yoooorrrk.....Concrete jungle where dreams are made!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8

Heeeelllo out there!!!

:)

Today was a very busy day!

I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with the whole group and crazy, wonderful Kathy! Saw some beautiful art. Was there for 6+ hours...

Tomorrow I meet with Rebecca Cherry a cross-over violinist....this is in Brooklyn.

Then a lesson at 2....this is in the Upper West Side

Then the NYC Ballet....

HELLO BUSY DAY!! :-)

But I love it.

Maybe I'll stop by "Ha!" and say hello to Donnie and listen to some fun live music afterwards.

Saturday is a 'free' day...as in there's nothing planned for the Coe Kiddos (aka our group)

buuuuut I'll be sitting in on the pit of LION KING!!! yaaaay!

Then Sunday we're going to a live jazz concert of some sort...we get to chill with Murray the Music Man! hahaha

ok

it's 1 am

thought I'd give you a quick update.

Sorry Pictures later when I'm not so tired!

<3

Snowstorm!!! 14 INCHES!

wooza. well here are some photos...this will be the only thing this blog is about. Enjoy the photos! I'm off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art! Whoot! I need to run to Cosi and grab some coffee before we meet at 11.

btw these were taken at 2am

<3

The beginning of a full week!

Hi Friends!

This is the beginning of quite an eventful week! I had a lesson today and Philip and I are working on relaxing my hands...it's the whole concept of relaxing so you gain control. Surprisingly that is a VERY hard thing to do. Before I get started on this upcoming week let's back track to this past weekend.

Friday night I stayed in....go figure! Hahaha :)

Saturday Lara, Isa and I went out on the town. But before I met up with them I went with Satchel and Ellen to a place called Oliver's Bar and Grill down in the Village. That was quite yummy we split a nacho platter and Satchel and I had delicious martini's. A change of plans had them going back to the hotel and me meeting up with Isa and Lara in Times Square at the Katwalk. This place was a bar/lounge/dance place. Drinks once again were verrrry expensive. After that we went back down to "Ha!" to go see Donnie. The live music is always fun and there's always a good vibe. Although, the crowd that night was pretty tame. Not sure why... So Lara and I decided we would take matters into our own hands. We cleared the tables up next to the stage, grabbed people from the audience, and started dancing! It turned out to be a lot of fun. Then Donnie, Isa, Lara and I went to the Hourglass. Which is becoming a favorite little place of mine. Tonight the top floor was open and it is so darn cute! Good music and lots of fun people. Donnie then tells me that I get to sit in the pit of "The Lion King"! I'm so excited!!! So I'll be sitting next to the first violinist and seeing how its done. Sunday was spent recovering. Monday was spent writing and having a meeting with our theater professor Susan. Woke up today to have my lesson...then walked around a bit looking for a present for my niece Sarah. Her birthday is on the 1st. So I need to head down to Times Square yet this afternoon to find her some cute gift that says NY on it...and post cards for my other kiddos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk&feature=player_embedded

Hahaha. :) thought i would share.

OK i'm off to go find a present!!!

3am and I'm still awake. Welcome to the Life in the Shoes of Amanda Drish

1. I love it here.

2. I miss home.

3. I miss coe.

4. I love it here.

5. I'm considering moving here...

shhhh don't tell my fam.

6. My electric violin came in the mail yesterday

7. We had a hoooorrrrible water leak from the floor above us into our bathroom...

8. I had the best cheese cake of my life yesterday. omg.

9. The weather....is wet....and slosshy...

10. I havent been asleep before 2am since I arrived

11. Donnie says I'm sitting in on Lion King next week!

12. Dave Matthew's Band rocks.

13. I wish someone would tell me what I want to do with my life.

14. I need to do laundry.

15. I need to clean.

16. I need to write 4 write ups about our show's we've been to.

17. Lara is still here, tomorrow night's gonna be fuuun!

18. Once Lara leaves...my diet will consist of cous cous (the food so nice they named it twice)

19. Thank God that Lara and Tsali were here the past 10 days

20. Hotel workers know the best spots to eat/see the city

21. Lessons are going soooo well.

22. I need to practice tomorrow.

23. I dont know where Britt is at the moment....probably on the phone.

24. I'm tired.

25. I'm 1/2 way through 2 books-Viva and Eat Pray Love

26. Tony is a Chinese worker at our hotel....and he's super cool. :-) hahaha

27. I should be writing in my journal.

28. I signed up for TWITTER! Ah.... so strange

29. Wondering how much more I should write.

30. Irish pubs are the best.

31. I love subway musicians

32. I love hearing 5 different languages in a matter of 20 min

33. Pizza at 3am is an option less than a block from my hotel

34. I saw original Bach, Mozart, Chopin scores

35. Libraries here are beautiful.

36. Walking above a subway right after you get off is disorienting.

37. Its 25-30 degrees here.

38. Guys are much more kind here.

39. Everyone and their mother is a musician.

40. and plays guitar.

41. My blue rain boots=Best Investment Ever.

42. I miss the quiet.

43. Honey makes everything taste better.

44. We have a friend in the window across the street. He waved to Ellen.

45. Dogs poop on the sidewalks.

46. Dogs don't notice you.

47. There's no grass.

48. The city at night is beautiful.

49. There's so much culture.

50. Small Town Iowa Girl-Big City New York

Love it.

<3

bloggers who watch....

I'm on Twitter now!!! Come and find me! Keep updated!

Week 1

As the bells chime out my window from the boys conservatory school across the cheek I warm my hands before practicing. This past week has been more than eventful. Starting with Sunday let's back track over the week. Sunday morning Steven (our Coe advisor for NY Term) took us out to brunch. Our waiter was lots of fun. I asked for coffee and he made a 'special' coffee for me...which was basically a latte. He said only the best service for 'royalty' and he brought out Britt's food with only 1 bite on it. A spoonful of yogurt, one strawberry, and a few sprinkles of granola. We got a good laugh out of it then he brought out her full dish. We then went to the subway station to buy our subway MetroCards. It would've been super easy had I not had issues with my credit card. Word to any travelers out there.....TELL YOU'RE CREDIT CARD COMPANY THAT YOU'RE LEAVING THE STATE!!!!!! ...I forgot that small, very necessary detail. So my card was declined 3x. I used a back-up card, got my MetroCard and then called my company to get them to unblock my card. I asked them, "So this $104 charge will not be credited to my account, correct?" "Correct." "PERFECT!" I thought I was golden, but once again...I was wrong. I tried to buy some supplies for the room later that afternoon and once again my card was declined. At this point I'm slightly frustrated. I called the credit card and they told me I had an available balance of $2.00. TWO DOLLARS?!?! They had charged me TWICE out of the three times I had tried to use my card for the MetroCard. Long story short, 8 days later I got it all figured out and those charges were removed. PHEW! Sunday night we went to Kathy's studio for a fun evening with the whole group (there's 7 of us students here) and the entire faculty as well as some Coe grads who are living in the city. During that time we mingled with the faculty and they got to know us as individuals a little better. Although, they got confused and mixed us up and called us by different names. Kathy started talking to me about photography. She sat me down and talked about famous photographers...but she thought I was Britt. Once she found out that I was Amanda-the music kid she hollered for Britt to come over and I politely excused myself from the conversation. :) Kathy is the art professor and she put me in charge of the music for the night. At one point in time Kathy yelled across the studio once again and said "Amanda! Aaaaamaaanda!!! You need to fix this music!" Haha, she's a little intimidating but such a sweet lady. (She may or may not have pink hair...which is awesome. lol) Her studio is around Times Square. There's a door man and we went up to the third floor and her artwork was everywhere. There were only small spaces to walk around with about 20 people in a very very small space. But that's how it is in NY! Small spaces with lots of people. We were there for a few hours then decided to call it a night.

Monday: I started my day with a lesson with Philip Wharton at 11am. It went well...we're working on a lot of technique things with my hands. Then I had to meet up with the rest of the group. As a group we started our term by going to the Museum of Modern Art. I walked into the building and the first thing I noticed was piano music. Live piano music. I was mildly confused. An art museum...Live music...hmmmm. So we all walked around through one of the exhibits (a 'line' exhibit) then I went to investigate where this music was coming from. I looked over the edge...about 50-60 feet above a drop to the 2nd floor only to see a person standing in the middle of the piano. Literally. In the middle of it. They had cut out a circle from the middle of the piano (Prepared Piano) and the pianist was playing Beethoven's 9th Symphony Movement 4 "Ode to Joy"....backwards. As in...the pianists left hand was playing the upper octave and the right hand was playing the lower octaves. The palm of her hand was by the black keys...and the tips of her fingers were by the white keys...Does that give you a visual? I'll try to post a picture. I also saw Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night". How cool. (Satchel just farted...big uproar in the other room+febreze = situation resolved.)

Tuesday was spent...looking for internships.

I decided I was going to be more proactive in the search for meeting people.

I opened the yellow pages.

Went to Nightclubs

and started callin....and callin...and callin

and callin...

Everyplace I called I asked "do you have live music?" and most said "no." and I said "thank you for your time." and moved onto the next number.

Finally I got in contact with Bowery Presents. They are a company that manages 6 different music venues all over the city. I got in contact with a woman by the name of Lizzy and she had me send in my resume/cover letter to her direct email. Nothing has come of that yet...but we shall see.

That night we went to a play...pretty cool. Not much to write about it though...if you want to know more about it let me know.

Wednesday:

I decided to hop on the subway with Ellen and go down to Brooklyn. We took the 1 train to the L train and found our stop. She went to her internship and I walked around one street in Brooklyn. I drank some coffee, went into some boutiques, bought a book for $1 (Viva), a scarf for $5, a cool flannel shirt for $7, and a fantastic bottle of wine for $8. I love Brooklyn...everything is cheap! (which is good when working on a small budget of dinero.) Ellen and I met up around 5pm and planned on getting back to the hotel by 6pm...needless to say...we got lost. Waaaay lost. 30 min late lost. But we made it. Thats the point. So we had a meeting with Murray that night...ate some pizza, got off topic, and had a grand ol' time.

Thursday:

Tsalika was in town!!! (Cant really remember what I did with Thursday day) But that night I went out for some sort of Asian food with Tsali and Isa. Yum yum. :)

Friday:

Kind of like Thursday...not sure what I did with the day.

But! FRIDAY NIGHT!!!! HEELLLO NEW YORK CITY!

I went to the Ha! Comedy Club with Anna (who's a best friend of my best friend but we've never met) So we went to the Comedy Club where they had dueling pianos. Live music...free drinks...no cover charge. Anna and I were dancin up a storm. One of the piano players motioned for me to come on stage. Maybe I should explain the setting of this venue a bit more....We walk down two flights of stairs....chairs and small tables fill the main area of the room with a small bar and an itty bitty stage where people walk on, hand the piano players $5-$20 for a request and they play it. Everything is painted black...and the main focus of the room is the 'itty bitty stage.' So being beckoned to come on stage wasn't a huge deal. So I sat down with the piano player...he asked my name, what I did. I told him "My name is Amanda and I play violin...electric violin too actually" "woooow, very cool!" I got down off stage after that little exchange only to find my friend Tsali and other friend Lara (who had just arrived in town) there by my table! That was exciting! Then I proceeded to dance with the owner of the bar. AKA a 65-70 yr old New Yorker (insert accent) and he did the Lindy with me. Haha, too cute. I said "you need a violinist!" and somehow that translated to "do you know how to Lindy?" And so we danced. After the show was over (2am) the piano player came to talk to me. He said that he was in the original cast of Jersey Boys and the owner said that this guys godmother was Liza Minnelli. WHHHAAAAT?!?! This man's name is Donnie Kehr. http://donniekehr.com/home.html He then asked me to come tomorrow (sat) and bring your violin and we'll get you up on a few songs. And if you ever need a job...just let me know. Talk about trying to hold it all together, not freaking out, and being professional was SO DIFFICULT!

So to recap the night: Danced with the owner-met Donnie-playing LIVE IN TIMES SQUARE!

WHAT?! THIS IS REAL LIFE?! hahaha

Saturday rolls around....

I met up with Isa, Tsali, and Lara....

We went to a play thingy...also super...interesting. (we've been told not to use that word to describe these things....but thats really all that fits it) Maybe strange...is a better word? lol.

I came back to the hotel-showered-and got ready to go back down to Ha! Comedy Club.

I got there at midnight.
Lara, Isa and Tsali showed up

so did Satchel, Britt and Ellen.

I played...and played and played.

and they kept asking for DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA!!!! PEOPLE I DO NOT KNOW DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA! hahaha...guess I'll have to learn it. :)

Afterwards Donnie told me that there's someone he wants me to meet...one of the top violinists in NYC and I said...."ummm OK!!!!" He then told me that attitude is 1/2 the battle in the music world. If people like you, they'll hire you...if you're a diva, no one will want to work with you. Stay humble, and work hard. And I said. "Ok."

I kept having to tell myself that this was real life...that this guy is seriously, seriously helping me out. We (Tsali, myself, Lara, Isa, and Donnie) all went down about 3 blocks to a bar called the Hourglass...quaint little hideaway bar where Broadway people meet after bars close at 2am. This bar didn't close till 4am. We were there till about 4:30am. I got to bed about 5am. HA!

Sunday: I slept till about 2-3pm the following day...got up...practiced a bit. Laid back down...went out for coffee with a friend...watched "The Other Boleyn Girl" and fell asleep around 3am again this morning. Not such a productive day.

Monday: Got up, went and worked on homework, talked to my momma, missed a call from Donnie...called him back. He called his friends (2 violinists) as well as David Chase the music conductor of Billy Elliot: The Musical. http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=12645

and said something about getting me into the pit of Billy Elliot! We'll see what happens with that but the fact that my name is starting to be spoken of...that I'm meeting people. Thats all I care about. This is why I'm here. I can't believe that this weekend happened. Week 1. Week. One. Wow.

All I can say is...

Thank you to everyone who pushed me and supported me to be here...

Because the ball is rollin...and it's only just begun.

here are some photos

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078595&id=1182540102&l=f11ec5e90

And it Begins. New York, New York.

Hello To my Friends. :)

It's the first full day in the Big Apple. So far it’s chilly but amazing. The cold is easy to deal with because there is so much to see. I wear my tall boots, hat, mittens, and my looong coat and it’s easy as cake. Yesterday was traveling day...But let me back up to Friday night. I checked the weight of both of my bags and one was 49lbs...and the second was 66lbs. WHOOPS!!! So I took some stuff out and then moved more of my books/music/jeans to a roll on suitcase that went on the plane with me. That night, I played with Jake McVey at the 4th Ave Bar and Grill in Washington, IA. We played till 12:30 and I was there till 2AM. I played so hard my fingers bled and my chin was bruised in the morning. :-) So I finally got to bed at 3:30am...and had to be up at 4:30 to leave the house by 5am. (so one hour of sleep...ugh) We left at 5am and had to go back to the 4th to pick up my car to take it to Cedar Rapids (to get hail damage fixed while I'm gone). We got about 2miles out of town and I realized that that my car was on EMPTY. UGHH...so we had to turn around....which meant that we left town at 5:20ish. And this was baaaad...because it was going to take us 1 hour to get to the airport. So we (mom, dad, and me) high tailed it to the airport....got there at 6:10am, got through security at 6:30 and my flight boarded at that time. Well I was in such a daze and didn't realize what was going on...the gate agent was calling "now boarding for Minneapolis..." But people were boarding for Chicago... (Which is where I was supposed to be going) "Last call for boarding!" And I'm like....this is when I'm supposed to leave...huh, I wonder if that's going to Chicago....And IT WAS!!!! I was the LAST one to board the plane (or so I thought then like 3 more people came on late) but I thought I about missed my flight. Everything turned out fine and I met a very interesting lady whose 12 year old son plays the violin. :-) I love hearing about kids playing the violin. So I gave her my contact info and told her to call if she needed anything at all. Chicago airport was just fine, nothing special...or interesting happened. The flight to NY I sat next to 3 guys about my age that were flying to Israel for vacation! I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I got into NY and when the plane lands it has a sign that says "WELCOME TO NEW YORK" and that was probably the most perfect thing that could've happened at that moment. I let out a little squeak and my energy level shot through the roof. (Even on 1 hour of sleep) I got my violin, carry-on bag, 2-50lb bags, got into my taxi and came to the hotel. I was here by 2pm Eastern time. The hotel has a guy who carries your stuff upstairs for you, opens the door, and they call the room and say "Ms. Drish...." So it's fairly fancy. :-) Quite fun if I do say so myself. Basically the rest of the day was spent unpacking and talking to Murray...the music professor. He talked.....and talked.....and talked.....and....talked. Seriously this man had so much to say. lol He sat in our room for probably 2 hours and some of the first stories he told us about were "I once saw a man running down the middle of the road, through the traffic, being chased by a man with an ax." Satchel, Britt, and I were shocked. We're like "Murray, this is not the first story you should be telling us!!!!!!!" But so far so good. ;) We went to a place called Jake's Burgers for dinner last night and it was AMAZING! Probably second to Fat Belly Burgers in Carbondale, CO. seriously...that good, and they were HUUUUGE! The rest of the night was spent unpacking, getting groceries (which weren’t too expensive), watching Pretty Woman, while writing in my journal and drinking mint tea. :-) It really couldn't have been more perfect. I fell asleep around 12:30 and was woken up 9 hours later by Britt saying..."Amanda, its 9:30 wakey wakey!!!" We had to meet up with Steven (the Coe professor who's in charge of NY Term) for breakfast. We went down to the Village to have breakfast. Walked a bit...I had to use the bathroom so we stopped in at McDonalds and they were playing ENYA.....in McDonalds!!!! HAHA....so funny. I guess MickeyDees is classy in NYC. Now we are back at the hotel, I practiced a bit...we have a meeting at 4pm then dinner at Kathy's studio apt at 6pm. Then I have my first lesson with Philip at 11am tomorrow! WISH ME LUCK!!! :) Then we meet up at the MoMA for our first 'art day'.

I have fallen in love with New York.

I'm so in my element...

And I cannot wait to be here for 3 months.

It is going to be Amazing.

:-)

Love you all.