Turkey Day Celebration

November 22, 2007

Two Thanksgivings down, still no turkey. At least a yummy Christmas dinner is just 4 Mondays away and weeklong leftovers of turkey sandwiches, soup and casseroles follow close by. So on this (lack of) Turkey Day in New York, I opted for a 5 a.m. wake-up call rather than a very tempting opportunity to sleep 'til noon on my first American Thanksgiving holiday. But, apparently 5 a.m. just wasn't early enough... considering the hordes of people lining the street when I arrived on the parade route close to 3 hours before the Macy's parade was set to begin, I'm thinking most of them probably never went home last night after they took in the Big Balloon Blow Up.

As the official kick-off event for the holiday season, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade drew a crowd of millions on this unseasonably warm November day, where temps soared close to 20 degrees Celsius. Marching bands, performance groups, floats and giant helium balloons flowed through the streets of Manhattan, from the Upper West Side to Macy's flagship store on Broadway and 34th Street, pleasing enthusiastic on-lookers of all ages.

It was utter chaos and mayhem being a part of the masses and masses of people on the sidelines of this event. Having strategically placed myself to have the luxury of leaning against the railing of a subway station entry for the duration of the parade, I also had the best view in witnessing trainloads of families arrive at the stop, only to be stranded underground. The throngs of people above ground, prevented them from climbing the subway steps to ground level; there was physically nowhere for anyone to move to allow them through. Apparently, even the subway had to bypass this particular stop and go on to the next because of absolutely no space to let anymore people off the train. Talk about claustrophobia at its best... and to think this was only one corner of a route that went on for 2.5 miles.

This aspect of my parade morning alone will remind me to stay home for any forthcoming parade in this city, but at the same time, I'm glad I braved and survived the insane elements to surprisingly enjoy this truly unique New York experience in history and tradition. But if there is ever a reason that I have to forego my watching its live broadcast on TV and once again be a part of it in person, it will only be because I'll be marching my way through it! Marching bands have violinists, right? Darn. I think I picked the wrong instrument... I best find out if Turtle Bay offers lessons in trumpet.

The 81st annual Macy's Parade gets underway along Central Park West

Just one of many spectacular floats

One incredibly huge (and talented) marching band

One of America's most recognizable icons

My personal favorite!

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? In the Macy's Parade of course!

The Parade kept going and going...

The Incredible Hulk

Holiday Tradition... But With More Sparkle

November 19, 2007

So it may still be a little over a month before Christmas (35 days to be exact... I've been counting down for some time now), but the holiday season has already bursted into New York on a grand scale. The impeccably designed Macy's Christmas display windows have now been revealed, ice dancers are gracefully gliding through Bryant Park's 'The Pond' and the Rockefeller Center Plaza gets lit up to the stars with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony next week.

It snowed last night in New York and will continue to for awhile... maybe not outside, but definitely inside Radio City Music Hall. With the annual tourist mecca 'Christmas Spectacular' show now underway, the world-famous Rockettes are celebrating their 75th glorious year, in what can be considered the biggest and most flashy show yet! From a full-scale double-decker bus taking the audience on a scenic ride through New York as it pivots against a 90-foot LED screen; to an extravagant display of fireworks; to a captivating Nativity scene complete with live camels and donkeys; to the mesmorizing display of 36 Rockettes meticulously performing athletic choreography in their Swarovski crystal studded costumes, the show certainly ignited the spirit of the season in audience members alike.

With the lights dark on Broadway for some time now, with no close end in sight (thanks to a Stagehand strike that has shut down more than two dozen plays and musicals during the most busy time of the year), disappointed theatre-goers, myself included, were lucky enough to score a ticket to this real Holiday treat... where the glitter and shimmer of the Rockettes' extravagant costumes alone could light up more than just the Radio City stage. And guess what? You too can check out the glitz, the glam and those high-flying kicks for yourself without even having to come to New York, unless you want to of course... watch NBC on December 1 as the show will be broadcast for the first time on network TV. Maybe then you'll join me in thinking how cool it would be to be a Radio City Rockette... although I'm not sure how long I'd last in their multiple kicklines... I'd be certain to pull a muscle or two.

Ice Skating at 'The Pond' in Bryant Park

The final touches are being added to the Rockefeller Center Tree in preparation for the Lighting Ceremony on November 28

Ice-skating Rockefeller style!

Celebrating 75 spectacular years and counting!

The stunning Swarovski Christmas Tree hanging in the Grand Foyer of Radio City Music Hall

The magnificent proscenium arch

Celebrating the holiday season with less sequins, more crystal

Nina and Me

November 12, 2007

There once was a time, that on any given day, I'd be able to pull an empty sandwich bag out of my pocket... actually, every pocket of every jacket and pair of pants I owned. I also had ample supply of Windex, paper towels and stacks of unread newspaper on hand in the event that certain 'business' matters just couldn't wait.

It's been quite some time since I've had the added responsibility of caring for a pet... and I've quickly realized just how much extra time and energy it takes to do so! With my roommate away for two weeks and not having her usual dog-sitter available, I excitingly volunteered my 'don't-be-silly-I-can-handle-it-piece-of-cake' efforts to look after her precious Nina. Up until the time the two of us were left alone to fend for one another, Nina and I were simply acquaintances. I'd see her when I woke up, and again when I got home from work, occasionally patting her on the head, but that was the extent of our relationship. I'm certain she saw me as a foreign stranger (which I am) worthy only of a blank stare and bark upon my entrance through the front door.

My latest experiences in walking a dog literally involved dragging my babylove Shih Tzu, Caesar, along the sidewalk, taking a good half an hour to get from the front of my apartment building to the back. How stubborn he became in his old age, having absolutely no interest or desire in going for walks, but being oh-so-cute nonetheless! Most recently, Nina has been the one taking me for walks... dragging me along the concrete with her incredible degree of nervous energy. If there is one dog that should live anywhere but New York City, Nina is it. Panic-striken at the slightest glance of a jogger or the sound of a cyclist passing by, she leaps, barks, and yelps all the while completely tangling herself up in the leash. A simple walk around the block is exhausting for her, simply because of the energy she exudes being so unbelievably conscious of her chaotic surroundings. In this concentrated and bustling city, it's no wonder Nina is uneasy, scared and stressed... I know because I've experienced this too.

How relationships can change over such a short period of time. Having recognized and finally accepting me as her temporary caregiver, yogurt and kibble mixer-upper, and personal pooper-scooper, Nina and I are now one another's best company. In a city that can be very lonely despite people being everywhere you turn, I'm lucky to have Nina around to brighten up my day (despite her embarassing temper tantrums on the street). She is constantly following me around, forever sitting beside me with her snout on my lap and has become the best possible foot warmer I could ask for as I catch my nightly zzz's.

Who's this now circling at my feet? What's this plastic in my jacket pocket? Oh yes, I have some responsibility to attend to, and quickly... Nina is really starting to pace which can't be ignored. I'm not at all stocked up on the aforementioned items... although I wish I was. Cleaning up 'business' inside at times seems a little more appealing than what I'm in for every time I step out my front door with Nina.

Completely wiped after a frantic walk

Her charming good looks sure can be deceiving!

New best friends...

Am I Lovin' New York?

November 4, 2007

... I've been asked that alot, and I've found it to be a bittersweet question to answer. Of course everyone who has ever been here falls in love with what this city continually has to offer. The energy, the excitement, the rush... it's all very thrilling don't get me wrong. But once the touristy 'honeymoon' ends so to speak, and the sacrifices you've made to become a resident here start to sink in, I've found that the love I have for this city is challenged on a daily basis.

I think we all have preconceived notions and expectations of New York thanks largely to the media. We're constantly inundated with images of the city through television and the movies and as a result we feel as though we know it, like we've experienced it without ever having felt it. It's all very baffling because despite seeing it so often, we don't really know it at all. It's very different, living it, being fully exposed to the rawness of it. I think that is what has been the most eye-opening aspect of my time here thus far.

I love how New York is such a walker-friendly city; a great excuse to get out and explore, see and do more than you can possibly imagine. But oh how I miss my car and the convenience of having my own transportation. Nowadays, my daily transportation involves being smushed into a severely overcrowded subway car, desperately hoping that the volume on my iPod will drown out the sound of the crazy homeless guy publicly preaching his religious values, rapping about God, then singing Feliz Navidad. I recall that being a day that I felt so unbelievably anxious to escape the position I was in, that I jumped off the train as soon as I could, preferring to walk the remaining 30 blocks home instead.

I love the proximity of everything here; you can step out of your apartment building and be just steps away from anything you could possibly need... great deli's, amazing restaurants, unique shops... Starbucks. On the downside though, I miss having S P A C E... personal space, breathing space, mental space, green space... a place to escape space.

I love never being bored. More importantly, I love that the opportunities still exist, at my age, for me to continue to pursue my two passions in life, dance and music. I'm not sure I love the feeling of utter exhaustion I experience every day from my chosen desire to jam-pack my days, but it's definitely one sacrifice that's been more than worth it.

I love the people I work with and the family-like environment they've welcomed me into, but man do I miss the people I care about most. I can't express how much I miss the great company of my amazing friends, having my sister be by my side as a motivating factor in an intense dance class, going shopping with my partner-in-crime... my Mom has an eye for deals unlike anyone I know, and talking shop (i.e. cars) over coffee at Timmy's with my Dad.

So do I love New York? Yes I do... you have to to be able to survive in this town when you're on your own. What I don't love... not having the presence of my family and friends within arms reach distance to lean on. I know the support is there though, and is just a phone call or e-mail or perhaps a visit away, which means more than anything. So with each passing day, I'm adjusting to change and learning to accept a completely different lifestyle than what I've known for years. Time will tell if my 'love' for this city will keep me here after my internship is complete. But since I don't have to make that decision for awhile yet, for the time being, I'll continue to make the most of this once in a lifetime adventure... accepting the good and tolerating the bad, as I fulfill my personal reasons for being here and explore what else it is that I'm looking for.

It was a very exciting weekend for me to be able to reunite with some familiar faces from home; the ever-fantastic Darka and Brad, my mentors from Bottom Line Productions!