Meeting my idol

I got to meet my most favorite actress a couple weeks ago. Sarah Jessica Parker! She came and spoke to my class. It was such an amazing, intimate setting. She arrived without an entourage, without a bodyguard, just strolled into our classroom with two of my classmates who escorted her upstairs. She was wearing a gray top and jeans and had her hair piled up in a messy bun. My teacher, Meryl Gordon, knew SJP from when she interviewed her for Parade magazine, so they were already acquainted. Meryl asked her many questions and we were all mesmerized. (well maybe the girls more than the guys) She talked about her family, acting a little bit, but mostly about journalism and her experiences with the press. It was fascinating. She talked about how hurtful it is to have untrue things written about her in publications. I think that we forget that celebrities are people too, that they have feelings and become sensitive. We got to ask questions when the interview was over and I asked her how she talked to her children about the media. She had said earlier that every time she leaves her house, the press are there, waiting like vultures to capture her every move. I cannot imagine a life like that. SJP said she talks to her older child about it but not her twins, as they are too young. When everything was over, a few of us got to take pics with SJP. I was one of the lucky ones. She put her arm around me like we were old friends! I will cherish that photo forever. I looked into her eyes afterwards and thanked her and she smiled and said you're welcome. Her eyes are blue and beautiful. I am in love with SJP! She is such a lovely, gracious, warm person and I will never forget that experience.

Friday night

This Friday night was definitely not the stuff of Katy Perry's song, but at least it was interesting. I was having one of my lovely chronic earaches and decided to go to the ER at 1am, after complaining to my mom. So I head out and proceed to try to hail down a cab for at least a half an hour. I have definitely not learned the art of hailing a cab in New York City yet. Finally, I thought one had pulled over and in my deliriously tired state I ran over to it and flung the door open, and hear a woman scream bloody murder. The cab already had an occupant and I scared her half to death. She looked at me in horror. I stood there for a moment in shock while the cab driver gives me a look that seemed to say "What are you doing you fucking idiot?" I stammered "Sorry! I'm so sorry!" and slammed the door. LOL. The rest of the night was nothing in comparison to that.

Delivery

So last night I needed to stay up late and didn't feel like going out to get caffeine. So I actually ordered coffee from a deli to be delivered, along with a few other things. I ORDERED COFFEE FOR DELIVERY. How amazing is that? New York City is truly a place where you can get whatever you want, anytime you want.

Smell

My sense of smell has engaged enormously since I've arrived in New York City. My other senses have as well, but especially smell. I love how I'll be walking somewhere and smell the delicious scent of bread baking, or the smell of pasta wafting from an Italian restaurant, and then in the next block I'll smell urine or garbage. Scents are never dull here.

Top Ten

Hello blog. I have neglected you lately.

In David Letterman style, these are the top ten things I've learned in New York so far:

1. Don't expect a greeting. People do not say hello in New York City, and if you say hello, it might arouse suspicion
2. Theater is life. The rest is just details
3. Don't make eye contact (you were right Uncle Gene!)
4. It's important to have a sense of direction. Learn north, south, east and west
5. Don't drink anything if you plan to walk for a distance. You will never find a bathroom
6. Learn to be accustomed to constant noise. I've learned to sleep through the sound of traffic and people shouting outside my window.
7. Always have your ID ready, because security guards will not let you into any NYU building if you don't have it, even if they've seen you a thousand times
8. When taking a taxi, always know the cross street for where you are going
9. The weather is so crazy and unpredictable that it's best to be prepared for anything
10. For god's sake, keep moving. If you pause even for a second on an NYC street, there will always be a cranky New Yorker behind you ready to yell "wot are ya doing? Move!!"