New York to Asia

 
Well, my first trip to New York has finally become a thing of the past, and it brought along with it, many sweet new memories.  When I arrived late Saturday morning Beverly met me at a diner and we forged our way into the wind.  In the lights and the excitement, sometimes I felt 

like we'd stumbled onto a movie set;

Other times I scavenged for my passport feeling like I was in a foreign country.  Interestingly enough, I found myself happily thinking of Nairobi quite often.  Unlike Nairobi however, New York is actively trying to maintain the sidewalks and such.  

After spying on a ballet rehearsal in the old church where New York Theater Ballet is based (Beverly's children dance with the company) we headed back out into the abrasive wind that seemed heighten the thrill of being in NY.  We mused our way through an amazing upscale vintage clothes store,   where we thankfully got a picture before seeing the "no photography" sign.  In new york, vintage seems to take on a whole new meaning.  My, what Lori and I could have done with those clothes!!!  

From there we went to our front row seats to see the American Academy of the Performing Arts perform a play.  We took the long rout to a restaurant for dinner before an enthralling "shoe-string" ballet performance by NYTB, and after the performance we went to the Stardust Dinner where the delicious food is a side dish to the entertainment.    

Beverly's family were wonderful hosts to me, which I very much appreciated being that they'd never even met me.  It was very nice to be in a home after just a few weeks of college life, although I love the dorms very much.  

 

Above are two friends, two of Beverly's children, and Beverly and I.  

In the morning, after a quick tap lesson in the kitchen and cup of piping hot oatmeal, we headed of to Steps on Broadway, a professional dance studio, for some ballet lessons.  It was so nice to dance after such a long time, and to think that it was in New York of all places!  We then grabbed some fresh berries from a market, and tried our luck in the cancellation line of a Broadway show, but were thankfully not able to get in...I've got to have some things left in life to look forward to!

Instead we headed home, gathered our things, and Beverly's daughter took us to the bus station.  

The following week Beverly slept in the dorms and came to all of my classes.  The teachers even had her participate! 

Beverly worked her magic yet again, and we were able to get into Boston Ballet's studios and watch rehearsals of the upcoming shows!!  We met several of the dancers, all of whom were very nice, and it was inspiring to see people work so hard for something.  

This week I joined the Berklee Choir, and two other students and I started a classical trio!  

The choir is completely student led, and has 59 members.  I'm so excited to be singing again!  I wished you could be there, so took some clips of our first rehearsal.  Pretty amazing what these students can sight read!  

The trio was equally amazing!  Another "I thought I'd never get to..." experience.  Our trio consists of me, a double bass player named Alex, and Sam, the violinist I mentioned in my last blog.  They're amazing musicians and we're planning to practice every week!  Heaven!!

I have some audio but I can't seem to upload it yet.  I'll try to get some help with that.  

Each chapter of my life seems to be nestled in persistent questions of what I'm to do with my tomorrows.  I'd much rather think only of the todays, but apparently this dream called college has an end and I have to enter the alleged real world with a career of some sort.  I've been blessed to meet many people involved in music therapy and also to enroll in the intro. class. This week we had a music therapy conference with a performance by a harp and nickel-harp, and then all the faculty spoke.  It included some very inspiring speakers, in particular, a woman who works with prison inmates.  It was a full house, and the audience included Carly Simon.  Funny the people who wander into Berklee.  I hope things settle in my heart and I can make the right decision about a major.  I know they will...I guess it's the waiting that's hard.  

 

All Asia is a restaurant where many Berklee bands start out because they don't require previous experience.  Yesterday me and Noslen crossed a frozen Charles river to enjoy Authentic Counterfeit's first performance.  I felt like I'd returned the Java House and was listening to Lemonade Stand!  Mmmm mmm!  What a nice thought!  

They had a sax, a bass, 2 keyboards, drums, congas, a cello, a violin, and three guitars and each one had solos in turn!  Here's a clip:  

Lets see, NY, Boston, Asia, I guess that brings us to today!  On Friday I went to a Christian club sort of meeting on Campus which I'm supper excited about!  I heard a lot about Park Street Church while I was there, and my friend mentioned yesterday that he wanted to try it, so we went this morning. It was a good service, but a little less lively than what I was hoping for.  Next week I'm going to try one that mostly consists of Berklee kids and is practically right next door.  I was hoping to find a church with lots of age variety, but we'll see.  

It was a beautiful day, reaching almost 50 degrees! 

  

I can't wait for even warmer weather!  

Hope you all can come and experience it with me sometime!

Thank you for reading!  And thank you for all that you, as my family or friend, have done for me!  You're much appreciated!