Over the past two days......

I have been having such a good time here in New York. I can't believe it's getting to be that time where I have to go home. Home doesn't even really feel like home anymore. I moved back from college the day before I packed my things to come here. College was my home, Alpha Gam specifically. When I moved everything into my room, I couldn't even remember where some stuff went. It was really strange.
But getting back to two days ago...
Wednesday, Alana and I rode the subway into West Village Manhattan, my favorite place in New York so far. I literally loved the area. It was so quaint and cute. There were a lot of little shops and restaurants. It sort of reminded me of Downtown Canal Fulton, where me and Ash would ride our bikes to and back. Alana and I got subs from this place called "Bagels on the Square" and got some bagels too. I bought a poetry book from this small but jam-packed bookstore. Then we went to Molly's Cupcakes, and I got a Nutella-filled peanut butter one. Alana got a butterscotch one? We also went to this popsicle place called "Popbar." It was really neat. I ended up getting a pistachio flavored one, and Alana got grapefruit. It was just a nice little getaway trip.
Thursday, I planned on waking up at five, seeing as the audition time posted for Vocalists and Singers for Radio City was at 10 a.m. I wanted to leave at six, get there by seven and get in the first group. That didn't happen because I slept through my alarm clock or turned it off, something I rarely ever do. So, luckily Erica came in and asked me what I was doing and that it was 6:40. You bet I jumped off that couch! I was out of that apartment by 6:55 and at the Subway station by 7:04. Don't ask me how I did it because for all I remember, the 'walk' to the subway is 15 minutes. Once I got to 50th and Broadway, it was a little after eight. I swear I could see the line forming at Radio City from there. I booked it and got to the line. I made it into Group C, and I was fine with that. Gave me more time to prepare.
When I came back for my group, we were escorted in not too long after. When we went in, the lady was handing people that were just arriving, Group G slips.. We were given time to change and prepare ourselves before they took us five at a time to get lined up in the hallway. They wanted 16 bars of an uptempo song, showing off our range. I decided on "Don't Rain On My Parade," famously sung by Barbara Streisand. The process was fast. I waited in the hall for maybe five minutes, went in, handed the pianist my music and told him what to play, stood on the T, sang, and then I got a "Thank you, Lee." That was it.
I went to both auditions expecting nothing, good or bad. That's exactly what I received in return. It was a really good thing I came to New York to do this. I needed the experience more than anything. I needed to know what I was up against. The world is wonderful, but it can be competitive and cut throat. Going through this actually reinforced the idea in my mind that I need to audition as much as I can. That's all you can do.
After the audition, I walked to Alana's school, and when she and Erica were done, we went to a Chinese restaurant. It was delicious. Then we went home for the night and all took naps.
Today, I think Alana and I are spending time in Central Park. I cannot wait. Then we're going to Times Square at night. Should be nothing short of amazing. Sad I'm going home tomorrow. That is all.

Leah.

Bye for now :)