More of my broadway/wall street views

Above are gorgeous views of the water! Yeah! Right behind the big buildings on the left (in the 2nd picture) is where the Statue of Liberty is! Too bad its blocked. But yes, everything was right at my fingertips here including almost all of the different subway lines which is incredible! Look at my roof and the views of wall street and surrounding areas! I was so blessed to stay there!

This was my view from the living room of my first apt. that I was only subletting for 2 1/2 weeks. It was located in the prime spot at Wall Street and Broadway at the lower end of Manhattan. It still is the nicest place I have lived in since being in Manhattan. It had laundry facilities, a gym, recreation room with pool table and an incredible roof with awesome views! All quite the luxuries for Manhattan.

Below are views from our roof which were incredible! I was quite suprised at how close I was to the water when I finally learned about the roof and went exploring. I had no idea of the beauty that was all around me, because as you can tell from the top pictures, from my apt. all you could see was buildings. The picture to the right is the corner of wall street.

If you look at the crane in the picture to the left, that is ground zero. They are still working on the second building. It was crazy to be that close to to such a monumental spot where such a big tragedy happened.

Finally feeling settled!

NY Ramblings and Update

Well I have been in NY for over a month in a half now and I can't believe it! I also just moved for my fourth time since being here and I am sick of moving! It has been a bizarre journey with lots of unexpected mishaps, boys, moving, and lots of technical difficulties. For most of my time in NY I have been without a computer which has severely handicapped me! But because of a dear family member sharing an old computer I am now up and running with a secure internet where I live. Yeah!

Well, without a computer as you can imagine it is a bit trying to find a job. I became well acquainted with the local Staples (which charges per minute on the computer,) kinkos (which is way overpriced, the local libraries (which usually had an 1 1/2 wait for 45 minutes of time), a roomate that let me use her computer a few times and a dear friend Andrew who saved my life on several occasions and let me use his computer whenever I needed it.

I also became good friends with the Staples manager who ended up being a musician himself (a pianist and songwriter) and ended up trying to give me all sorts of things for free like printing and computer time, though I insisted on paying. In fact several of the employees kept giving me special treatment even though I kept telling them to charge me full price, but they wouldn't. And yes the Staples Manager did ask me out and we are planning on doing some music collaborations.

I have found many angels here in Manhattan, everywhere I go. Even today, I got on the bus and realized that I needed to renew my card, which would have required me to walk half a block, miss the bus and wait for another 15 minutes for another one. But as I was walking away the bus driver said, "where are you going, get on here, you can renew it later today." Then when we both realized I had gotten on the wrong bus he went out of his way to drop me off where he could and then I had a beautiful walk through the cloisters which is a beautiful green forest preserve that took me to where I was going. A wonderful preparation for lds general conference (which I had been praying for.) Blessings so often come in hidden ways that if we are too busy being mad about being lost, we don't see what the Lord is really trying to show us or teach us.

I have seen the Lord guide my path on several occassions since I have been here and it is always in the most unexpected ways. In fact I have often been led to specific people and locations by unknowingly getting very lost. But each day I have been taking atleast 15-30 minutes for scripture study and then praying and asking the Lord to direct my paths and he has done just that.

Sorry this is so lengthy but I am trying to fill everyone in on the last month in a half and I am not sure where to begin.

When I first arrived I spent a lot of time going to agencies, preparing my performing arts resume and corporate resume, trying to find makeshift headshots (which ALL stink by the way) and figuring out venues to attend and the newspapers and websites that I needed to check daily for auditions, collaborations, etc. I also spent a significant amount of time getting lost on the subway, etc! This town has been absolutetly intoxicating for me. There are so many people to watch, so many fascinating things going on, so many people trying to make their dreams happen and a great fast paced bunch of people.

NY Boys and Men

I have to say that still to this day one of my greatest shocks has been the amount of male attention I get here on a daily basis. Before coming out here as many of you know, I put on a bunch of weight, had poured myself into my job and was hiding out. Not happy with the weight, the debt, the craziness of my life and frankly didn't want anyone to see me because I felt so fat, yucky, etc.

It is amazing how our minds can often decide an alternate reality than was is real. Anyways I seem to draw a strong male following just about anywhere I go in this city. I never realized what a difference I made and how often I brighten peoples lives with my smile and how unique it is to be a happy, upbeat, optimistic person (for the most part.)

Everywhere I go, men of all ages and cultures tell me how beautiful I am, how gorgeous my smile is, how amazing my eyes are, etc. I hear men saying things under their breath to their buddies and guys calling me sexy. I even had one guy that couldn't stop calling me a goddess. I suppose I mention this because really, one day I hope to be that kind to myself. I suppose I don't forgive myself for not being the perfect size, and I hope if I say it out loud enough I'll actualy believe it myself. In someways I really do have pretty good self-esteem ESPECIALLY when I am not looking in the mirror. But even though I will often have 3 or 4 guys ask me out a day, I'll come home look in the mirror and think but my face is fat and my arms are fatter than I would like them to be. I suppose it is the curse of the human condition. To pick ourselves apart.

Anyways, I love the male attention and hate it as well. Sometimes it gets old, especially when its a creeper or someone I am really not interested in. But very fun when they are beautiful and fun to talk to. Yes I have given in a few times and gone out with these guys, but I am getting much better at saying no and avoiding the subject all together. But it is nice to realize that so many guys are so attracted to me just the way I am:)

Brief NY Recap

Back to NY. I am currently with 3 different talent agencies and just got a job as a caterer. I will probably have a few jobs as a writer with online magazines as well. I have been paid to be on several tv shows like BET (2x) on "The Truth with Jeff Johnson," in the audience, People's Court, and the YES Network where they interviewed Dwayne Wade and yes he is very cool in person.

I have also talked with tons of musicians and found a really great guy named Daniel that I have begun writing songs with in the studio. He has been a musician in the city for over 30 years and he plays the drums, bass, guitar is a songwriter and he has good values!

I am also working with an incredibly gifted voice coach who is one of the best in the industry and has worked with famous musicians that include Idina Menzel. It has been an intense process starting over, but incredible how quickly we are getting to the heart of what I want to accomplish. The best part is that she really believes in me and finds me to be a very gifted vocalist with limitless potential, which was really nice to hear!

I have also found an incredible voice over coach named Larry Conroy who has done stuff with Disney, Warner Brothers, and all the big networks. He is an inspiring teacher and a wealth of information. I did a free consultation with him and I can't wait until I have the money to really work intensely with him.

Challenge

I'll save my housing stories for another time. Also expect to see a bunch of pictures really soon! Remember to be grateful for your life everyday NO MATTER WHAT! Also don't forget to say a prayer where you just thank the Lord for everything that he has blessed you with. Don't ask for anything just tell God what you are thankful for and watch the miracles continue to pour in. Remember you are loved and that God is always aware of you!