I’ve never been one to quit things ... but I quit my admin job last week. Seeing as how up till now the only job I’ve ever officially quit was for the School of Nursing and that was after working only two days and then finding out I got into the Road Company at Taproot Theatre, quitting my job is a big deal to me. Well, I guess I can now say that I have quit two jobs, yes that’s right, I gave my two weeks notice to my office job last Tuesday. This Friday will be my last day working as an admin assistant and I officially take on my new job next Monday, although I’ve already been in training the past week. I found exactly the job that I had been hoping for, and was starting to believe didn’t exist … I now work part time for an online company that sells different products for “a healthy lifestyle.”
What makes this the perfect job you ask? For starters, I am only working 20 hours a week, about four hours a day, but making my own schedule. Because it is an online company and there is no office, all my work can be done from home, a coffee shop, at a hotel after the kids I’m babysitting have gone to bed, etc. This new schedule will allow me to work a few hours from home every morning and then attend 2-3 dance classes a day, and then come home (or go babysit or tutor) and work a few more hours in the evening. I’m really excited to be able to now completely have the freedom to take as many dance classes during the week as I can afford, on top of continuing my weekly voice lessons (which are going really great!).
To help supplement our income and to pay for my increase in classes I will continue to babysit, also I have just been hired by a company that provides one-on-one tutoring to New York public school children. This is a job similar to the babysitting in that it allows my schedule to remain flexible as I am able to coordinate my schedule with the child I am tutoring. So I now have three different jobs I will be juggling (and I’m actually considering applying for an additional babysitting agency) but for me it will be great because they are all jobs that let me determine my schedule so that I can give as much attention and time to the real reason I’m here … acting!
Everything is currently in transition as I finish up my last week at the office job and finish training for the online job. The tutoring position will begin training this summer but won’t officially start until September so I have a bit of time to get in the groove of my new routine. Mike is also in transition as last week was his first week interning at the Federal Court House in Brooklyn. So far he loves it and feels extremely lucky with the Judge he is interning for. Last week he got to observe several trails and then discuss them with the judge afterwards, something not all interns are lucky enough to do! The weather here is just starting to get really HOT and HUMID and the air conditioner we bought is proving to be well worth the cost!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Pope Family Visits NYC
Last week Mike's Parents, Brothers Dan & Matt, and Dan's Girlfriend Jennifer all came for a visit. We all managed to survive living in our 500ish square foot apartment and sharing one tiny bathroom! For more fun stories from the trip check out his mom's blog (link to it is on the top left of my blog page). I will try and post more photos soon but here is one for now...
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
One Big Week
So I must start off by thanking my most faithful reader and commenter ... Cali! Although she is quick to point out when I make promises to post and then neglect to do so, I can always count on her to let me know someone out there is still reading! I know there are others of you who check in to read as well and I'm truly happy to know that, but since Cali has posted the most comments I wanted to give her a special recognition.
This week has had a lot of transitions and changes for me ... some of which I will report on in a week or so ... But for now here is a little about my Showcase Performance and the in-laws visit...
On Sunday I had my first theatre performance in a New York Theatre! It was a small black box in the East Village and I performed a 10 minute scene from a play called, "Spike Heels." Mike's parents were both in town and were able to attend the performance with Mike. Afterwards I had the opportunity to sit down and have a mini-interview with an agent from one of the top NY/LA Bi-Coastal Talent Agencies and get his feedback on the scene. It went well and now I can continue to establish a relationship with him and invite him to future productions I am cast in.
Mike's parent arrived last Saturday evening, his brother Matt arrives tonight, and his brother Dan and girlfriend Jennifer arrive early tomorrow morning. We have had a lot of fun with his parents so far ... his mom is keeping a blog of their trip so to hear more about our fun times check out her blog at: I have also created a link at the top left of the page. For me, the best thing we have done so far is go see the New Broadway Revival Production of Gypsy, starring Patti LuPone!!! It was amazing and all three of the lead actors won the Drama Desk Awards and are nominated for Tonys as well!
Till next time, thanks for reading!
This week has had a lot of transitions and changes for me ... some of which I will report on in a week or so ... But for now here is a little about my Showcase Performance and the in-laws visit...
On Sunday I had my first theatre performance in a New York Theatre! It was a small black box in the East Village and I performed a 10 minute scene from a play called, "Spike Heels." Mike's parents were both in town and were able to attend the performance with Mike. Afterwards I had the opportunity to sit down and have a mini-interview with an agent from one of the top NY/LA Bi-Coastal Talent Agencies and get his feedback on the scene. It went well and now I can continue to establish a relationship with him and invite him to future productions I am cast in.
Mike's parent arrived last Saturday evening, his brother Matt arrives tonight, and his brother Dan and girlfriend Jennifer arrive early tomorrow morning. We have had a lot of fun with his parents so far ... his mom is keeping a blog of their trip so to hear more about our fun times check out her blog at: I have also created a link at the top left of the page. For me, the best thing we have done so far is go see the New Broadway Revival Production of Gypsy, starring Patti LuPone!!! It was amazing and all three of the lead actors won the Drama Desk Awards and are nominated for Tonys as well!
Till next time, thanks for reading!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
My First Acting Gig in NYC!
Ok so I really should be getting ready for bed since I have a full day of work, dance class, and babysitting tomorrow but I wanted to give a quick update: I've been cast in a NY Showcase! I actually had quite a successful last weekend ... I was cast to model in a Hair Show and so I got a free hair color and cut from a high end salon! And I had two separate theatre auditions that both resulted in callbacks and one has cast me in their upcoming showcase! I have lots of babysitting coming up this weekend so I promise to write more details in the next few days!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Taxis
As promised, here is why I hate taxis … ok maybe I don’t hate them but strongly dislike and try to avoid taking them if at all possible. If you’ve been reading my blog since they beginning you may recall my first encounter with New York taxis in which I was rejected several times because apparently none of the drivers felt like driving to Park Slope. (It’s the entry from October 2nd if you need a refresher). Until recently that was my only experience hailing a cab from the street, all other times we have called a local Brooklyn car services for airport trips.
About a month ago I was babysitting at the Waldorf and the family came home very late. Usually up until midnight I feel comfortable taking the subway home since there are always plenty of people around, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. However, the parents returned to the hotel around 1:30am and it’s about two long blocks for me to walk to the subway from the Waldorf, not to mention the half mile walk once I get to Park Slope. The childcare agency will reimburse me for up to $15 if I need to take a cab home; unfortunately, from most of the uptown hotels it costs a bit more to go all the way to Brooklyn. However, this particular night it seemed like the best idea to grab a cab. As I get out to the street a couple was returning to the hotel and so as they got out, I got in. I told the driver I was headed to Park Slope in Brooklyn and we were off.
First lesson, Brooklyn appears to be foreign territory for Manhattan cab drivers. The driver asked me where in Park Slope, I give him the cross streets and he starts listing the different highways and bridges he could take and wants to know which way I think is best. I struggle with trying let him suggest the best way but also not wanting to seem like someone who doesn’t know the way and therefore have him take the long way to charge me more money.
Second lesson, cab drivers drive like mad men and as much fun as it is to have a tv to watch in the backseat, watching it will make me carsick. Between the tv and frantically trying to text message Mike for directions from Mapquest I started to feel very queasy.
We finally get into Brooklyn and the driver realizes he forgot to set the meter running. I’d noticed at one point that it wasn’t lit up but thought, “what do I know” and once again didn’t want to come across as a naïve taxi passenger. Luckily, he was a nice guy and when he dropped me off said, “how about we say $15” which I knew was less than it would have been had the ticker been running the whole time. Overall I was disgruntled by not knowing how to tell someone how to get to my home and from getting car sick when on the subway I can even read now without feeling sick!
A week later I was babysitting for my cousin on the Upper West Side and they came home later than they had expected. I was completely comfortable taking the subway home, but they gave me money for the cab and had their doorman call one for me. Once again, the driver was not familiar with Brooklyn neighborhoods and I got car sick.
After that I swore I’d never take a taxi again, however, I looked up directions on Mapquest and memorized which bridge, highway, and exit to tell the driver if need be. Another late night of babysitting and being a sketchy walk from the subway I decide to test out my direction giving ability. All is going well until I decide to pay this time with my credit cards since I was just a bit short on cash. We pull up to my apartment, he totals the ticker and I hand him my card. He instructs me that I swipe it myself from the back seat so I find the machine and swipe, but it won’t read my card. He asks me if I chose the credit card option on the tv touch screen. I tell him the tv screen just says “thanks for riding” and he says I’m too late and I only have 30 seconds from when he totals the ticker to select the credit card option. How ridiculous!!! I then have to call Mike to come downstairs and bring me cash since I didn’t have enough and I was too slow to swipe my credit card! It wouldn’t have been so bad if he hadn’t made me feel like such a fool for not knowing the 30 second rule!
As I now sit babysitting again for the British author at Trump Towers I weigh my transit options for the night. Its cold out… I have to work early in the morning and taxis are faster…I have to transfer subways…the taxi will definitely be more than $15 from here… BUT I KNOW the subway, where it goes, which one I need, and I can get home and not feel super car sick. I think the subway wins again!
About a month ago I was babysitting at the Waldorf and the family came home very late. Usually up until midnight I feel comfortable taking the subway home since there are always plenty of people around, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. However, the parents returned to the hotel around 1:30am and it’s about two long blocks for me to walk to the subway from the Waldorf, not to mention the half mile walk once I get to Park Slope. The childcare agency will reimburse me for up to $15 if I need to take a cab home; unfortunately, from most of the uptown hotels it costs a bit more to go all the way to Brooklyn. However, this particular night it seemed like the best idea to grab a cab. As I get out to the street a couple was returning to the hotel and so as they got out, I got in. I told the driver I was headed to Park Slope in Brooklyn and we were off.
First lesson, Brooklyn appears to be foreign territory for Manhattan cab drivers. The driver asked me where in Park Slope, I give him the cross streets and he starts listing the different highways and bridges he could take and wants to know which way I think is best. I struggle with trying let him suggest the best way but also not wanting to seem like someone who doesn’t know the way and therefore have him take the long way to charge me more money.
Second lesson, cab drivers drive like mad men and as much fun as it is to have a tv to watch in the backseat, watching it will make me carsick. Between the tv and frantically trying to text message Mike for directions from Mapquest I started to feel very queasy.
We finally get into Brooklyn and the driver realizes he forgot to set the meter running. I’d noticed at one point that it wasn’t lit up but thought, “what do I know” and once again didn’t want to come across as a naïve taxi passenger. Luckily, he was a nice guy and when he dropped me off said, “how about we say $15” which I knew was less than it would have been had the ticker been running the whole time. Overall I was disgruntled by not knowing how to tell someone how to get to my home and from getting car sick when on the subway I can even read now without feeling sick!
A week later I was babysitting for my cousin on the Upper West Side and they came home later than they had expected. I was completely comfortable taking the subway home, but they gave me money for the cab and had their doorman call one for me. Once again, the driver was not familiar with Brooklyn neighborhoods and I got car sick.
After that I swore I’d never take a taxi again, however, I looked up directions on Mapquest and memorized which bridge, highway, and exit to tell the driver if need be. Another late night of babysitting and being a sketchy walk from the subway I decide to test out my direction giving ability. All is going well until I decide to pay this time with my credit cards since I was just a bit short on cash. We pull up to my apartment, he totals the ticker and I hand him my card. He instructs me that I swipe it myself from the back seat so I find the machine and swipe, but it won’t read my card. He asks me if I chose the credit card option on the tv touch screen. I tell him the tv screen just says “thanks for riding” and he says I’m too late and I only have 30 seconds from when he totals the ticker to select the credit card option. How ridiculous!!! I then have to call Mike to come downstairs and bring me cash since I didn’t have enough and I was too slow to swipe my credit card! It wouldn’t have been so bad if he hadn’t made me feel like such a fool for not knowing the 30 second rule!
As I now sit babysitting again for the British author at Trump Towers I weigh my transit options for the night. Its cold out… I have to work early in the morning and taxis are faster…I have to transfer subways…the taxi will definitely be more than $15 from here… BUT I KNOW the subway, where it goes, which one I need, and I can get home and not feel super car sick. I think the subway wins again!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Overdue Update
Well, if there’s even anyone left who is still reading my blog, I once again apologize for the long delay between entries. Things have been quite hectic lately leaving me little time to sit down and write. I have now found a few moments as I sit babysitting in the Trump Hotel for a well-known author from London, (no its not JK Rowling … but close).
Here’s a brief overview of what I’ve been up to the past month or so … My office day-job has been extra stressful lately as there are a lot of shifts going on in the company and the buyers and manufacturers we work with. I’m happy to just be the little admin assistant who doesn’t have to worry about the big stuff, although my workload has been a little extra heavy from it all. With having to work extra, I have not been able to attend dance as regularly as I would like and look forward to having things calm down so I can get back to taking 8 or more classes a week! I’m thinking the ideal “day-job” may be one where I can work from home and make my own hours so that I’m able to attend more of the dance classes offered during the day. So if you know of any brilliant work from home jobs, please let me know!
I am very excited to report that I have finally found a voice teacher over here and I am very happy with her so far. I started talking to a girl at one of the mass cattle calls I was at and eventually asked her about who she was studying voice with, she gave me the contact info and I couldn’t be more happy at this point with how it all worked out. To get my vocals back in shape and ready to compete in NYC I’m currently taking lessons once a week, but at $100/lesson (average rate in NYC), I may eventually have to cut down to every other week.
More to come soon on why I hate taxis ….
Thanks for reading!
Here’s a brief overview of what I’ve been up to the past month or so … My office day-job has been extra stressful lately as there are a lot of shifts going on in the company and the buyers and manufacturers we work with. I’m happy to just be the little admin assistant who doesn’t have to worry about the big stuff, although my workload has been a little extra heavy from it all. With having to work extra, I have not been able to attend dance as regularly as I would like and look forward to having things calm down so I can get back to taking 8 or more classes a week! I’m thinking the ideal “day-job” may be one where I can work from home and make my own hours so that I’m able to attend more of the dance classes offered during the day. So if you know of any brilliant work from home jobs, please let me know!
I am very excited to report that I have finally found a voice teacher over here and I am very happy with her so far. I started talking to a girl at one of the mass cattle calls I was at and eventually asked her about who she was studying voice with, she gave me the contact info and I couldn’t be more happy at this point with how it all worked out. To get my vocals back in shape and ready to compete in NYC I’m currently taking lessons once a week, but at $100/lesson (average rate in NYC), I may eventually have to cut down to every other week.
More to come soon on why I hate taxis ….
Thanks for reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)