Perspective...

I feel like Sunday I turned over a new leaf here in NYC even though I've only been here a week.  I threw myself a little pity party and now I'm over it because it's all about perspective!

 I went to church on Sunday morning to Apostles Church and it was good but not exactly what I was looking for.  I had gone there last summer the first Sunday I was in town and sort of felt the same way so I never went back.  I thought I'd give it another shot...won't be going back.  After church I walked around the streets of NYC aimlessly as I do everyday. That's my way of exploring the city.  When I see a cute restaurant or something that looks interesting I write it down so I have a running list of things to do and places to eat in each part of town that I've wandered around.  Let's just say my feet are TIRED and FAT!  

Anyway, I made it a 2 church Sunday and ended up at Hillsong NYC at 7:00PM.  I was so excited to be there because I was looking forward to the music and the message and everything that I loved about it last summer.  Well, the service started and my mind went crazy with thoughts like "Oh my gosh why is the music so loud we're not at a rock concert we're at church?"  "Are these people for real or are they just putting on a show?"  "Why are so many people raising their hands? Is it authentic or are they doing it because that's what everyone else is doing?" "What do these people's lives look like outside of this service?"  Man, I was being soooo judgmental and boy, was I slammed with hard truth that rocked my world once the preacher started preaching!  He titled the sermon "That Girl is Poison..."  and based it off of the story of Samson and Delilah in Judges 16.  The preachers first quote was "It takes a lifetime to build a testimony and a moment to destroy it. It is our job to protect God's calling on our life."  He then asked what he calls a life altering question...  Has your perspective been poisoned because your vision dictates your future?  I just have to say the whole sermon was packed with a punch and by the end of the service I was in uncontrollable tears (I mean, that's not uncommon for me) and a new perspective on things.  I will be calling Hillsong NYC my church home and can never look at the story of Samson and Delilah the same.  

Sunday was a good start to the week and exactly what I needed.  Monday I walked around, turned in resumes for a server/barista job and then met up with Charles Barksdale that night before he left for Texas the next morning.  I love seeing familiar faces because it makes me so happy.  Tuesday was awesome because I had my first voice lesson here with a girl named Amanda Flynn.  We went to college together and I randomly found her ad on Playbill.com so I emailed her and set up Tuesday afternoon for a voice lesson.  I was taking lessons in San Antonio with a lady named Rachel Cruz for the past three months and begged her for some musical theatre rep.  I never got any from her so Amanda was everything I was looking for and I am so thankful.  She even sent me home with the following songs to learn...  

Simple Little Things-110 in the Shade

How are Things in Glocca Morra-Finian's Rainbow

There's a Fine Fine Line-Avenue Q

Follow Your Heart-Urinetown

Frank Mills-Hair

Lay Down Your Head-Violet

With each song she handed to me she told me why she gave it to me and what we will be working on with each one.  That's kind of amazing to me.  Yay for legit voice teachers!!!  Tuesday night I ended up at Battery Park City for a nice concert with a guy I've never heard of and Suzanne Vega.  The weather here that day was cold for summer so I was pretty chilly in the park at a breezy 73 degrees.  The music was lovely and I loved it.  

Wednesday I walked around some more but I always find myself at Bryant Park.  I just love that place and I'm mysteriously drawn to it.  I had a nice relaxing moment of reading Catching Fire for a while and then proceeded to Central Park to watch The New York City Opera's production of Tosca.  Of course, getting to where they were performing was a bit of a struggle but I eventually made it.  The performance was interesting because to me the girl was so awkward and wouldn't look the person she was singing to in the eye which made the whole story pretty unbelievable..at least in my opinion.  Eye contact is such a huge deal for me and I do know that I'm a really harsh critic sometimes.  So, in reality, I'm sure it was a wonderful performance for those who stayed the whole time.  I, on the other hand, left so I could come back home and work on my blasted portfolio. I have one more thing to insert and then it is finished.  I will be so glad when it's done because that means I can start submitting my stuff for a real job.   

Today was quite interesting.  I woke up pretty late and didn't leave my apartment until about 3ish.  I decided I wanted to check out Astoria Park today because I've heard great things about it.  I weighed my options of riding the train or walking.  Since they took the same amount of time I decided to go by foot so I could explore Queens a little more.  Hmmmm, that was not a good choice because I can't read a map and google maps is not really my friend so I ended up in the Astoria Projects.  I think that was the first time I was actually scared in NYC.  I was literally the only white person in the area and it was AWKWARD!!!  I kept looking at my Google maps and it kept telling me to go all these crazy ways and I wasn't even near those streets so I was panicking on the inside and saying to myself...get out, get out, get out!  I was so far away from the park it wasn't even funny.  I really do need to learn how to figure out which way is North, South, East and West because that's what Google uses.  I'm used to directions like.. "stay on this road and turn left on 23rd street.  You'll see a bunch of trees and the river will be on your left."  Those directions are easy to follow and don't get me lost.  Astoria Park was just another park and nothing too exciting so I hopped on the subway to Midtown and once again I found myself in Bryant Park watching the free Yoga class on the lawn. They have that class every Thursday night so I need to remember to go.  

On the agenda tomorrow is a dance class at Broadway Dance and then who knows what else. So far, it's been a good week. 

Battery City Park at Dusk

River to River Festival with Suzanne Vega

Tosca in Central Park

See, just another park :)

Livin' it up, 

Miss Gulley in Manhattan

The Sights and Sounds of Summer in Central Park

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

 That is the verse I read on the day I left for this city and that is the very same verse I claimed as mine to live by on Januray 1, 2012 sitting in Kat's living room as I painted those words on canvas. That was clearly not a coincidence and clearly the work of the Lord's hands once again. I'm listening as hard as I can. 

  I have only been in the city for three whole days and I've already come to these conclusions...

-goodbyes are like Band-Aids the slower you peel them off the more it hurts!  

-I think I'm in some sort of shock.

-I don't think I've fully recovered from my night of packing till 3am, and carrying 4 bags up four flights of stairs to my new place.

-I need to make friends as soon as possible.

-I should have known better than to think it would be as easy as last summer. 

I've drawn these conclusions because I have cried more this past month than I have cried my whole life because leaving my home was probably the hardest thing I've ever done.  I wake up with the puffiest eyes every morning at 7:00AM on the dot without an alarm clock.  I haven't had a real conversation with people face to face in three days and that's surprisingly hard for me. Let me clarify, I talk on the phone, I send text messages I ask "Hi, I'm just wondering if y'all are hiring right now?" and smile at strangers on the street but I definitely don't consider that much interaction for right now.  I sweat buckets from the moment I wake up until the moment I wake up the next day which results in two showers per day.  I don't have my job at Cranky's that I thought I would have and I cannot get my portfolio done to save my life!  

Therefore, my days have consisted of waking up at 7:00am and then going back to sleep because it's summer and there is no way I'm waking up that early.  When I finally wake up I have a cup of tea and a bagel at the kitchen table as I read my morning devotion which is always perfect for the day that awaits me.  I go around town and hand out my resumes to cute little coffee shops or cafe's since Cranky's is fully staffed, walk around the city, take it all in and then come home to my immaculately clean apartment without mice and work on my portfolio.  Needless to say my life here has not been too exciting yet.  On the bright side, I have a voice lesson scheduled already with a girl I knew in college and hopefully she will point me to some really good musical theatre rep that I desperately need.  My roommates are really nice and never home so I have the place to myself when I'm here and I LOVE THAT!  

 Today I decided to take a break from life and spend my day in Central Park.  This place is one of the many reasons I <3 NYC.  As soon as I hopped of the train I grabbed a venti vanilla iced chai tea latte for my daily source of energy and headed into the park.  My goal was to find the beautiful place that has all the trees cascading over the walkway that my sister and I desperately tried to find last year when she came for a visit.  Well, it's called the Mall/Literary Walk and I found it! Once I realized it was directly across from the Bethesda Fountain I had to laugh a little.  Sis, we were so close and had  no idea! Today in that area of the park they were hosting something called Adventures NYC.  It was hosted by Backpacker Magazine so it was all this outdoorsy stuff. We all know that outdoorsy stuff is not really my thing but I let my ears be my guide today and I heard some of the best music in the little amphitheater that was at the end of the Mall.  The first band was called Kings County Ramblers and the next group was called Lucius.  The first band was a bluegrass band and so good and Lucius, well I don't really know how to describe them except to say  they totally rocked my face off!   I loved them too because the singers were matchy matchy like me and Cindy :) After that I walked right over to the Bethesda Fountain but stopped underneath the little tunnel that connects the Mall to the Fountain because there was a wedding going on right there!  It was so precious and perfect because a street musician underneath was playing The Prayer on his cello during the ceremony.  I'm sure they tipped him well to play for them but how New York is that?!!!  After looking at the fountain my ears led me again to the same spot as the wedding but this time it was a family singing You Raise Me Up in 5 part harmony.  BEAUTIFUL!  I just stood there with my eyes full of tears because these were 4 children and a dad singing together.  In this life there is nothing purer and sweeter to my ears than listening to children sing.  It just makes my heart so happy and that moment was food for my soul.   My ears took me back once again to the amphitheater where Lucius was still playing.  I had every intention of reading in the park because it's so peaceful so I found my way to a bench and I could't believe my eyes! Wouldn't you know, it said these words on a little plaque " Toto we're not in Kansas anymore!'' Oh my goodness those words could not be more perfect because that's totally how I feel.  The Wizard of Oz lives on and I failed to read after that.  I ended up people watching for a little bit and then my ears took me to some salsa music where people were doing some sort of aerobics class for the Adventures NYC thing.  It was there I met a nice man named Tino and had my first face to face conversation in three days.  I enjoyed chatting for a bit and then I headed back to my Astoria apartment for a Saturday evening of blogging.  

Tomorrow I will be going to church and enjoying the company of others and then, as the week goes on, I will be crossing my fingers and saying my prayers that I will find work somewhere soon in a Cranky's like place.  I probably shouldn't be that picky but I just loved working there and am sad I won't be.  

Here's to goodbyes and hellos a collage of my first few days here...  

Me and Heather after breakfast on the day I left.  I love you sis!

At the airport with Jake

me and my Mamma! 

Me and Jonah. Oh how I'm gonna miss these sweet boys!

I made it! Hello NYC

This is my room in my Astoria apartment with all of my luggage. 

This is how I feel when I work on my portfolio!  Clearly  me and technology do not get along! 

Beautiful Wedding

The Mall

Here is where I heard the best music! 

My little people watching bench :)

"Let the tears fall like rain...

and let the Lord's blessings wash over you. "  That is what an Encino Park parent told me the last day of school when I was "sweating through my eyes" as the kids like to tell me.  The tears fall because it's extremely hard to say goodbye and close a chapter in my life that has changed me forever.  It was a goal of mine to work in a school for 6 years so I would be able to see my first class of kindergartners all the way through to the end of 5th grade.  My goal was completed at the end of this year and how lucky am I that I was able to see that happen at Encino Park?  So many blessings came from there....I was hired after 3 awful years at another school when I put in for a transfer and  Colleen Bohrmann hired this wounded music teacher.  Crazy thing is, the day I was hired at Encino Park in 2006 was the day I had officially submitted all of my paperwork to the New York Department of Education because I was done teaching and moving to New York!.  HAHAHA the Lord knew better than I did and clearly had other plans for me at that time. I am so thankful!  My first two years at EP I had the privilege of being mentored by the great Janie Kolmann, AKA, my Jewish mother.  She taught me everything I needed to know to take over and be the best I could be. Then came Cindy David....I love her with all my heart.  Together we were able to conquer three all school musicals and so much more.  Wow, who knew those musicals would turn out to be the thing in my career that brought me the most joy and stir up a new dream in my heart.
The last few days of school were the hardest because I finally had the guts to tell everyone what I had known from the first day I got back last summer.  I told the Wizard parents first, then the teachers and the last two days I told the students!  Oh my goodness, I had no idea how hard that would be and how encouraged I would be either.   Some of the most precious moments are these...A parent came in to pray over me and a group of  amazing fifth graders set themselves up in Cindy's room in choir formation and sang Like an Eagle to me.  Of course I cried and when they got to "You taught me well, you gave me strength, I'll not forget you,"  I completely lost it!  There were hugs and tears all around when that moment was over.  What a priceless memory.  So many parents gave hugs, shed tears with me, and said some of the kindest words I've ever heard. I wrote them down in a journal so I can remember them forever.  The relationships with the kids, parents, teachers and admin are precious, and treasured and I will hold them close to my heart forever. What  an amazing 6 years.  
Tomorrow I leave for the big city and I'm so excited but if I'm 100% honest I am scared to death as well.  Yes, I'm following my dreams and taking a leap of faith but I know it's going to be full of rejection, heartbreak, loneliness and so many other things I can only hope and pray I'm prepared for.  I don't know what the future holds for me but I know who holds the future and he holds me in his hands.  I am fully depending on my Savior to lead me, guide me, provide for me and hold me when I hurt.  Right now I'm clinging to 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  So as my tears continue to fall uncontrollably I remember that home is a place in my heart and my friends will be friends whether I'm in San Antonio or in NYC and I can always come back.  However, this door has stayed open and I have to go.  




No day but today my friends...
Miss Gulley in Manhattan

What Am I Doing?!!!

Sooo another New York journey begins.  Why am I in love with the city?  Why do I long to be there?  Why are decisions so hard sometimes?  Today began what will be a hard 3 months.  I am packing up my apartment to go live with ma and pa until the end of the school year when I will pack up my things again and head to NYC for life in the big city.  I feel like this is the right decision but how do I know for sure?  Why is it so hard and why do I shed huge tears when I talk about it?  Probably b/c change for me is awful and scary.  I hate it, but i think i need it.  (Written in March when I finally broke the news to my parents and this journey became real to me)

Love,
Miss Gulley in Manhattan

"There's No Place Like Home"...in NYC and in San Antonio

Well.... this is it. This is the end of my summer in the most amazing city and the summer where my dream to live here came true!  Words cannot express how thankful I am that I've  had this opportunity.  When I think about it, my summer was a hard one because I've learned so many life lessons and I feel like I've grown up a little bit.   I've  learned what it's going to take to audition well and I've made a list of all the things I need to do to get ready for next summer.   I've learned how to be friendly when I don't want to be walking the streets of NY and working at Cranky's dealing with customers.  I've learned that God is in control of everything, my money, my dreams and my future and I'm not. I've learned that the City can be an extremely lonely place and that I need people.  I've learned how to make adult conversation, something I've struggled with for a long time and I've learned how to be honest with my feelings. Growing up is hard sometimes but I'm glad I grew up a little in NYC.
My summer has also been incredibly, amazing because I have seen the Lord provide in miraculous ways, I have been blessed beyond measure, I had an awesome job, and I have met some really great people and experienced things I never thought I would get the chance to do.
 I have had many adventures this summer too, like climbing a fire escape, auditions were always interesting, riding through Chinatown on a motorcycle, Tango Dancing in Union Square, going out with total strangers and living with one mouse that multiplied into who knows how many?! 
But right now I'm sittin on Delta Fllight 1709 to San Antonio and my heart hurts.  My heart hurts because I left New York City but it really hurts because I left someone special behind that I wasn't planning on meeting by the name of Jonathan Dickson from South Carolina.  With that being said, Monday and Tuesday were really hard days.  I was overwhelmed with emotions and I shed many, many tears.  I had tons of packing to do, not to mention last minute shopping and I had to get my fill of Johhny D! 
Tuesday was a whirlwind.  I made my flight reservation for 7:00PM because I had one more audition.  It was for the Wicked National Tour and I was going to that audition! It was at 10:30 yesterday.  So I woke up early, got ready and headed down to the "holding room."  I was bummed because the casting directors were "typing" so only Equity members were able to audition.  It all worked out for the best though because not auditioning gave me time to go to Cranky's one more time and pick up my final checks.  I got there and saw Sunday, Emi and Jim.  The people I didn't get to see on my last day.  I was so happy.  Then I went back home to re-pack.  I ended up sending 3 boxes home and had  3 suitcases to take to the airport.  I took my three boxes to ship to the post office in the pouring rain at 4:00PM and then had to catch a taxi at 5:00 but didn't till 5:30 to get to the airport by 6:00.  Well of course that didn't happen and the airport yesterday was disastrous.  Thankfully Jonathan met me at the airport to send me off.  But my bag was 65 lbs.  15 lbs overweight and I was going to have to pay 115.00 to get it on the plane.  I was willing because at that point I had no where else to put it.  It ended up that my flight was totally rescheduled for today instead because my original flight out of LGA was delayed two hours and I was going to miss my connecting flight.  So I had one more night in the City and more time with Jonathan.  I'm so glad Jonathan was there because there was no way I could carry all those bags back into the city.  Instead he lugged around my 65lb bag up stairs, on the subway and down several blocks where I parked them at the YMCA.  This morning I was able to re-pack, send one more 20lb box home and make it to the airport on time. 
Yes, i'm so sad about coming home and Yes, I know I'll be back sooner than later. but it's still hard to settle in and call a place home for two months and then come back to the reality of life in San Antonio. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and thats why I came back.  I did miss my friends and my family and of course, my queso and I am ready for a clean bath tub and a clean apartment with no mice and air conditioning.  I am excited about the adventures waiting for me here.   I lived a dream this summer and met an amazing man.  What more could a girl ask for??

Until next summer,
Love
Miss Gulley in Manhattan.

From my heart to the heavens....

I have had a wonderful weekend. It started with my last day of work at Cranky's on Friday.  I thought for sure I would be a basket case and cry and cry and cry all day but I really didn't.  It was a very weird day at Cranky's though.  The morning was so slow and people would trickle in one by one.  It was so nice and peaceful.  Lindsey came in early and told Emi, the barista, she could go home at 12:00PM.  As soon as Emi was cut literally 50 people at one time came through the door and sat down for lunch!  It was crazy.  Lindsey told Emi she couldn't go and we were crazy busy until it was time for me to leave.  Kevin came by to say by on Thursday and Friday.  He has been so awesome and encouraging to me I love him to death. Ashley Mitchell came by to meet me because we were going to a show later so I started closing out my drawer and saying my goodbyes.  That consisted of lots of pictures being taken and sadness but no tears.  To me it felt like a brief parting because I'll be back next summer.  So it wasn't "goodbye" it was "I'll see you later."   When I left, Lindsey gave me a huge hug and said "I love you"  and it was so sweet so I hugged her back and said "I love you too."  Then I had written Kevin a little card and he gave me one of his CD's and then we said our goodbye.  I cannot tell you how lucky I am.  The job at Cranky's was totally a gift from God and I know it.  I was blessed beyond measure by the people I met and that same job is already lined up for next summer. 
I was really glad Ashley came to visit because I think it sort of softened the blow of leaving.  I was sad, but like I said, it wasn't really a goodbye forever sort of thing.  Ashley and I got on the train to Times Square and then bought student tickets for Masterclass with Tyne Daily.  We met up with David and had a lovely dinner at Don Giovanni's and then headed to the show. 
Masterclass was about Maria Callas' life as an opera singer and based off of her series of Masterclasses given at Juliard.  It was a very interesting show and I enjoyed it.  After the show was over we hung out at the stage door and got a picture with Tyne Daily.  I love how some actors are gracious and will talk to everyone waiting.  Then there are some who just think they are too good for their fans like Sierra Boggess.  She walked out talked to four or five people on the other side of the stage door and left.  She didn't even turn around to see the other side.  People were calling her name and it didn't even phase her.  She just left.  That was annoying.  So, David, Ashley and I had a few words to say about that.  LOL.  After that Ashley and I met up with Maxwell at the Disney store and hung out for a bit then I headed home.
Saturday, I woke up at noon and I cannot tell you how good that felt.  That was the first time all summer I had been able to sleep that late.  Aahh it was amazing.  Then, I found a mouse in my trash can so I called home and vented for a bit.  Then I headed to the Brooklyn Flea one more time to get some baby gifts for my pregnant friends.  Basically I shopped all day and I loved it.
I really wanted to see Anything Goes and Saturday was really my last chance.  I went to the TKTS booth and they were all sold out so I went to the box office and ended up getting a standing room only ticket for only $30.00.  I watched the show with a giddly, schoolgirl smile on my face the entire time!!! I love musicals and I thought Sutton Foster was amazing.  I loved watching the show because you could tell that every single person was having a total blast!  I would describe Anything Goes as old school Broadway with huge chorus numbers, Cole Porter classics and tap dancing!  I'm gonna say it again, I love musicals.  They are like food for my soul! 
Sunday I woke up and went to Trinity Grace for the last time this summer.  I have really enjoyed that church and I'm so glad that's where I ended up going.  After church Noel got a group of people together to go eat in my favorite place, Central Park.  I wish that I had been going to lunch with these people all summer because I met so many new people.  Too bad I'm leaving tomorrow.  Anyway, hindsight is 20/20 right?  Even so, I enjoyed it.  Then, of course, I went shopping some more and ended up having a very interestesting converstation wtih a lady named Bonnie at Laila Rowe.  There was a pair of shoes I wanted at the Laila Rowe on 72nd.  They didn't have my size so they sent me to the one on 84th.  Well, they were all out too but my conversation with Bonnie was orchestrated by God.  Bonnie and I talked about the lost people in the City, we talked about our churches that we go to and she told me all about her goal of producing a show that follows praise bands throughout the country.  It was a beatiful moment when we realized I was sent to that store for a purpose.  Oh Jesus you're so good!   
I had planned on going to Hillsong at 5:00 yesterday so I could go to the free Tango lesson in Union Square.  Well, that didn't happen and I'm so glad because I love the 7:00PM service.  Hillsong is a place like no other and I have never experienced another church like it.  I feel like I talk about it all the time but it's really a special place and I feel like the Lord is going to use those people and that church in a mighty way here in NYC.  We sang a song with these lyrics and this is my prayer  "From my heart to the heavens, Jesus be the center.  It's all about you."  The music was over and people kept singing and singing for at least 20 more minutes.  They were praying and praising the Lord with such devotion and freedom.  That's why I say Hillsong is a glimpse of heaven.  I did end up going to the Tango lesson afterward and my private teacher Bill came to say hi from last week.  He showed me a few more things and then we grabbed a drink at a japanese restaraunt.  I'm crazy for hanging out with strangers but hey, I wouldn't have had the experiences I've had if i didn't.  Bill was very nice and told me all about the education system here in NYC and I need to do some research because I have thought about teaching here maybe next year.  But who knows.  After our drink he drove me home and then I got some beauty rest. 
Today is my last full day in the city and I can't believe it's over.  My summer went by way too fast.  I have lots to do today so I'm gonna live it up in the city one last time. 



Hannah, me and Lindsey at Cranky's






Kevin Woods: My Texas, Musician Friend

Yep! That's Tyne Daily

Tango in the Square

Ne and Noel in Central Park



MINA!!!! Love her :)



Miss Gulley in Manhattan

The Cranky's Summer Crew

Be fruitful and multiply...

OMG!!!!!!! This can't really be happening to me!!!  The first mouse I killed several weeks ago had babies!!!  I'm not even kidding and I'm so grossed out.  I don't even know what to do!  I HATE THIS APARTMENT!!!!!! 
This morning after I woke up, I went to throw something away. When I opened the trash can there was a mouse in there.  I don't know how it got it in there because the trash can is always closed unless I put something in it  I called my mom and told her all about it and then decided I would just tie up the trash bag in hopes the mouse was still having a feast inside and take out the bag ASAP.

Then tonight after I got home I made some dinner and was about to sit in the living room but stopped dead in my tracks because I saw something weird in the hallway next to my video camera.  Oh, don't worry, it was just another mouse!  This mouse didn't even budge when I walked towards it. It was crazy!  That's two mice in one day.  There is no telling how many more there are.

Looks like I will be at the store first thing in the morning buying lots of mouse traps that aren't the sticky kind.  UUUUGGGGHHHHHHH!!! Not my idea of fun for my last few days here.  At this moment San Antonio is looking really good even though I'm not ready to go back.  I am ready to leave this apartment though because I live with mice and lots of them.  GROSSS!!!    

Love,

The official mouse lady of 174th street, Miss Gulley in Manhattan