NYC #3

Little Italy.

April, Missy, and Tracie.

WARNING: This section is about Ballet, so if you don't want to hear about it, skip down. In the School of American Ballet locker room. They said we could not take any pictures at he school, so I asked if I could use the restroom and snuck this one. Going the SAB was the highlight of the whole trip for me. We went to S.A.B. the day we were supposed to leave (me, Jeanette, and Kat) and I asked the security guard if we could get a tour. He pulled some strings for us and we did end up getting a tour. The lady that gave us a tour said that it was too bad we were not staying longer because I could watch a class the next day. I was at least glad I got to see it, but really wished I could watched a class. Later that afternoon we found out that our flight was canceled for the next evening. I called the lady from SAB and set up a time to watch a class. The next day I took Tracie and Missy with me to watch the class. I was really nervous to be in charge because I am terrible with directions and taking the subway all by our selves scared me. I didn't want to get lost. I studied the Subway map the night before, hoping that would help. The next morning we got on the right subway, but heading the wrong direction. Whe hurried and got off and tried to get on one going "Up Town" ( I believe?) and we couldn't figure out which subway entrance to go in because there are one one each side of the street. Confusing. We did figure it out and made it in the nick of time. We got to watch the most advanced class. What? This is the probably most prestigious ballet school in America. I was so excited, I can't even tell you. We sat in the front of the classroom and dancers started filling in stretching and warming up for class. Then this skinny tooth pick grandma lady came in to teach the class. She asked where we were from and where Tracie danced at. The class was so amazing. All of the girls were incredibly flexible and strong. Everyone had amazing extension (how height they can lift their leg.) They had a different style then I have ever seen (Balanchine technique), at first I thought some of the girls were doing some of the exercises incorrectly until I realized that everyone did it that way. You would think Ballet is the same where ever you go, but in allot of ways it's not. Same basic stuff, but some school's teach you to brush your leg and some don't, Heads are in different places, some exercises have different names, etc... My favorite correction the teacher gave one of the girls was "You need to be a little more generous with your soul." Artistry is such a hard thing to teach, and I thought she hit it right on the nose. I was amazed at how respectful and meek all the dancers were. Anything the teacher said they would do and try so hard to do it perfectly. I taught so many girls with an attitude problem that I was so envious. I was so grateful for the experience.

Julliard and SAB are right next to each other. I was hoping to go to an SAB gift shop but there was not one. So we went to the Julliard book store and bought some souvenirs. Julliard was very secure, just like SAB. But Julliard seemed more so. Picture above is of the SAB and Julliard Cafe.

Barbie Castle in Toys R Us in NYC.

At the Broadway show "The Little Mermaid." It was so amazing! The were in heely's so it looked like they floated across the stage. Amazing sets and costumes. Loved it.

Picasso at the Met.

Central Park.

The castle from Step Mom in Central Park.

These townhouse were in a nicer area in NYC. They reminded me of the Cosby Show and You've Got Mail. Very Cute.

At the doorway to the Manhattan New York Temple, and this is also where church was. I felt bad for the speakers in sacrament because the majority of us were nodding off from exhaustion. I had to go out and get a drink and walk around to wake myself up. I wonder what I am looking at.

This is a picture of all the Dance Co. girls feeling Ellie move. A couple of them actually felt her move.

Little Italy was one of my favorite places in NYC. There are a ton of Italian Restaurants and the Fettuccine Alfredo I had was the best ever. This was such a cute little area (a street). They have these Italian bakery's that are to die for. I tried Italian Ice Cream for the first time (Gilato?) and It was soooo good. We also went to China town and it smelled so strong of stinky fish.

I guess we are being "Bond Girls!"

Ellie's blessing is on August 30th!

Okay, so I know I said August 8th or 16th, but we changed our minds. I sure hope everyone can come, I don't think I can change it again. Thanks, April

Mary Stuart Masterson

Here is the picture of Mary Stuart Masterson that Jeanette took while I was getting her autograph. It's a little blurry because the revolving door hit her in the but while she took the picture.

Ellie's Blessing

You are invited to Ellie Paul's Blessing!

Date: August 30th

Time: 9 am

Where: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

1546 N 1100
Orem, UT 84057

Following the Blessing will be a potluck brunch at our home.

997 W. 1300 N.

Orem, UT 84057

We will be providing the main coarse and if you would like to bring something, pick from the list below and leave a comment to let us know what you will be bringing. Several people can bring the same thing!

Chips

Drinks

Green Salad

Pasta Salad

Fruit or Fruit Salad

Cookies

Party Time!

My 30th birthday is on Saturday and I wanted to go out to eat and a movie to celebrate. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome to, but no pressure. I want to go to the Cafe Rio in Orem (State street-between the 8th north exit and Center St. exit) at 5 pm. Then we will be heading over to Cinemark in Orem (1010 South 800 East ) right behind University mall. I want to see the new Harry Potter movie (rated PG) at 7:15. I think this movie might sell out early so we are going to try and be early for the movie. That's about it!
P.S. Ellie slept through the night, last night! Yeah!

New York 2

Tracie and I in the lobby at the "Broadway Dance Center." Tracie and her dance co. took dance classes here. Wow, what a belly full of Ellie!

A billboard advertising "Wicked."

This is such a funny story. This is Kathrin's second time in NYC and last time she came, she saw the Broadway musical "Wicked," and loved it. She really wanted to go again but they were all sold out. We were at the Wicked theatre the night before so she could buy some wicked stuff from the gift shop, and she started talking to the lady behind the counter and found out that the next morning we could come back and enter the "Wicked lottery" 2 hours before the show started. The wicked lottery is when you put your name in a hat and whomever gets there name drawn gets to buy 2 front row tickets for a ridiculously good price (I think it was $25 ?). Kathrin, Jeanette, and myself went to go enter this lottery, and we waited around to see if we won. They started to draw the names and we were very nervous, hoping we would get it. They called every one's names that won (I think it was 12 people?). We were pretty bummed when none of our names got called, but we decided to hang around anyway "just in case." I guess one of the girls that got called said she didn't want it, because her friend won some already. Someone else got called and they weren't there, and the last person only wanted one ticket. So, they called one more name..................Kathrin Paul. The funniest part was that this picture is a reenactment of what kathrin was doing when we waiting to see if the last name called was one of ours. She was soooo excited. When she got up there to get the two tickets, she found out that she only got one. She is so nice and offered it to me, since I had never been before. I couldn't take such an important ticket from someone who was soooo excited and in love with wicked. I was so happy for her that she got to go, especially because she got to be on the front row!

This was already an exciting day, but there is more. When we were walking to the wicked theatre, we passed another theatre that was right next to it. there were allot people gathering in and outside this theatre to buy tickets for some other Broadway show. I passed this blonde lady and took a double take, a few more steps and I realized who I had seen. Mary Stuart Masterson! You know, from "Benny and Joon" and "Fried Green Tomatoes." I pulled kathrin and Jeanette aside and said "Did you see who that was? Mary Stuart Masterson!" I couldn't believe it, she just looked like a regular person, chatting with some friends and her date. I knew this was my only chance to talk to her, so I tryed to think of some excuse I could use to do so. One problem, I am pretty dang shy. Sometimes I feel embarrassed to talk the the cashier at the grocery store, let alone a movie star. I thought about that for one second and decided "Who Cares?" I asked Kathrin and Jeanette if either of them were brave enough to come with me to ask for an autograph. They both said "No, they weren't." I decided to go anyway. By this time Mary and her date had gone in the the theater and I thought I might have missed my chance. I went threw the doors and diagonally from me there she stood still chatting with her date. I marched forward directly to her and touched her arm. "Excuse me, I am a HUGE fan of yours" she said "Thank You", than I said "Can I have your autograph?" And I just smiled with my huge pregnant belly and thought, the worst she can say is , no. She smiled at me and said "Sure, whats your name?" I said "April," she said "That very fitting for this time of year (it was April)", with a smile I might add. She scribbled on the paper I had given her and handed it back. I thanked her and went on my way (seeing Jeanette had followed me in to get a picture), so proud of myself for being brave. I couldn't believe how sweet and real she was. What a good day.

This is in times square. It was crazy busy and just as cool as I had imagined it.

I have to say it again, I love NY!