Home stretch

Saturday was my 11th day in a row. I was serving on the floor, which is probably the only thing that got me through the day, because it meant I had to pay attention or I would screw everything up. Made it to the end of the shift, ate, then went to an audition for a children's theater touring company out of Minneapolis. Got seen early since I got there earlier than I'd signed up but no one else was ready. Did fine, talked about Minnesota, then left to start my weekend. THANK GOODNESS! On the way home I texted Ethan because I was pretty sure he was back for the weekend from his tour. Turns out he was, so he and Matt came over and we made dinner and drank wine and caught up. Walked to the Chocolate Room for dessert, and who should come in after us but Ben and Atsuko. The table next to us eventually opened up and we became one big happy dessert family. What a lovely way to start my weekend.

Happy birthday Ali!

Friday was Ali's 21st birthday, but since she was in Swarthmore and I was in New York, I had to spend it working instead of celebrating. Went to work, came home and prepared for my audition, fell asleep, went to Matt's in the pouring rain and ate corn chowder. We watched LOST from the night before, then I walked home in the pouring rain, talking to Mom and Dad to distract myself.

In the Heights (but on Broadway)

Thursday I worked during the day, and by that point I was really starting to burn out. Only two more days until weekend... Ran into Brad Broman on my way out of work, and I hadn't seen him since he left on the Hairspray tour months ago. Then, walking down to meet Matt, I ran into Hermit Justin from my freshman year dorm. Crazy! Matt and I had dinner at a sort of Irish place, then went to see "In the Heights," a new musical about the Washington Heights neighborhood. We were really high up, but apart from having a little trouble understanding lyrics, it was fine. (Dad and Granny, it was the same theater where we saw Cyrano, I think the acoustics aren't that great in there.) We had a really good time, fun to see new stuff.

Making the apartment a little more adult

Tuesday I did laundry in the morning, then went to work. I don't remember there being anything special about it.

Wednesday I worked in the morning (this "working" thing is getting old), then went downtown. Got a big beautiful old "Singing In the Rain" poster for my room, then met Randy and got some new stuff for our bathroom: a new shower curtain and liner, new bath mats, a soap dispenser that matches the bath mats, and a fogless mirror so he can shave in the shower. Met Matt, got rid of Randy, got dinner stuff, and went home to make dinner. Talked to Kate Knutson on the phone, then Matt and I watched "Mad Hot Ballroom," which was adorable. It's a documentary about this program in NYC public schools where 5th graders learn to ballroom dance and then compete with each other for a city-wide championship. Little kids dancing = adorable.

BBQ AMAP (as much as possible)

Sunday I worked in the morning, which left me pretty tired after closing the night before. Oh well, the money's good. Went home and did some things around the house that hadn't gotten done all week, like cleaning the bathroom and unpacking my suitcase. Went over to Matt's and grilled with Austin and Anja, enjoying the patio and the nice weather. Then Matt and I caught up on LOST, 30 Rock, and The Office from last week.

Monday I had another check up at the doctor (I look pretty healthy, thankfully), then had lunch at Bouchon. Had delicious quiche, mmm. Then I went to work, which was eventful because Kim was my bar back, only she'd never done it before and I was supposed to be training her to bar serve. This may not make sense to you. It didn't make sense to me either. Oh well, we figured it out.

Where'd the weekend go?

Friday I worked in the evening, but I can't remember what I did in the morning. Oh yeah, it's coming back to me. I got tickets to see "In the Heights," a new Broadway show, and practiced for my callback on Saturday. Went to work, which was busy.

Saturday I went to Tom's with Matt, then went home, got ready, and went to my callback. There were nine girls there for two roles. First they had us sing one of the songs from the show. Then they had two people leave. Then they had us do dialogue from the show. Then they had two more people leave, which left five of us for the two roles. Then we sang a duet, and after that they said I was done for the afternoon. So, I don't think I ultimately got either role, but I still felt good about making it that far. That's a step in the right direction. Went to work, which was busy, and went out for half an hour afterwards with nearly all the staff that was on that night.

The long streak begins

Wednesday was the beginning of my 11-day work stretch. Ooooh boy. Woke up and went running in the morning to break in my new shoes. I went very slowly and stopped a lot, but the shoes are great! Went to work and was in a bad "back to work after vacation" mood, but I eventually snapped out of it.

Thursday morning I went for another run, but this time I ran to the Botanic Gardens to see the cherry blossoms. I became a member, so I got in for free and walked around enjoying all the spring flowering plants. Beautiful, but sneezy. Made me think of this time last year, with graduation and Ben and Atsuko's wedding. Went to work, then met up after work with Matt, Sarah Diaz, and Drew Salisbury, who was in town. Sarah lives in the city but I hadn't hung out with her there until this occasion. Weird! Short but sweet visit, and we have an estimated one year to wait before Drew moves out here too. Hooray! (for Drew, not the waiting).

Added: the photo Ali pointed me to of the Brooklyn Museum and the cherry blossoms. Enjoy!