5 am - Mere not only drove me to the airport, but she wrote me an inspiring card and baked our infamous "Breakfast of Champions" homemade granola for me. How thoughtful (and delicious!)
A view from Evan and Janice's corner in the Upper West side...incredibly quaint.
"Yes we can."
On my walk to Central Park...
Central Park - people were laying out in the sun, reading books on their backs, having picnics with cheese and wine, and throwing the frisbee around. I felt so much like the parks in Paris.
Be still my heart! This was an entire vegetarian/vegan grocery store. That's right, GROCERY STORE. No deli nor restaurant could compare to this tiny supermarket stacked high with a vibrant, diverse, menu of tasty treats. I just about cried happy tears upon entering the Garden of Eden...
Columbia University is historically beautiful...and massive!
GRYFFINDOR! I try to find subliminal messages in the things I see and experience, and I found this proud lion. Gryffindors are brave and courageous...much like the risk I'm taking on my new journey here.
In Harlem - where dirty jazz is alive and spiced chocolate mocha's thrive - I discovered this little park where parents took their kids and dogs. Infectiously adorable.
WOW.
I don't think I fully understood the infamous masses of cotton clad tourists' "I Heart New York" t-shirts...but now, I GET IT. I absolutely adore this walking city! Above are a bunch of pictures from a peaceful afternoon exploring my new surroundings, losing myself to fun nooks, smirking all the while...
After buying a metro card, figuring out both the Queens bus schedule AND the subway system, along with finding the studio lot, and Evan's place (on four hours of sleep, mind you!) I'm here!!!
When I landed in LaGuardia, I could feel the energy of the city...the noise, the heat, the liveliness. Stepping out into Jackson Heights with my two suitcases strapped tightly to my frame, I could easily see that this is where Betty Suarez calls home. Or rather, "casa." Reggaeton, popsicle stands, and florescent colors seemed to pop out all over the place and the only expression I could paint was one big grin across my face.
It's nice after a summer eagerly anticipating, dreaming, scheming, and awaiting my Ugly Betty calls and interviews, to actually be HERE now, throwing myself into a new space, with my entire life packed into two miniature suitcases.
I got off at 33rd - Rawson in hopes of finding the studio lot. Fast forward to two hours later and to no avail, I got a call from the studio - I still continue to geek out when anyone from UB calls - that told me where I was suppose to meet at 6:30 AM the next morning. Phew! That was definitely a relief, so I was able to focus on finding Evan's place.
And now here I sit (on the wood floor) typing...a combination of anxiety and excitement are taking over me thinking of all that tomorrow morning and this coming week has in store for me.
