PAVEing a Blog

I am a numbers person, but I dislike Math, long story about a teacher who gave us hall passes all the time in Middle School and…but okay get this…

721 more views on my blog before I reach the big 10, 000 mark.  I am very honored to have that many, in just 2 years time, of NEVER doing a blog, and BAM!  Whoa!  I am hooked!  Here is another stat – 7 more views to meet the highest view this year, which occurred in January, and this is only March.

The only problem with this is – after March, um, I think there might be a slight letdown, so I might have to use more puppy pictures…:)

In very sad news I realized Chinua Achebe passed away.  Some of you might not know who Mr. Achebe was, and neither did I in my Master’s at Slippery Rock.  Then I discovered this awesome class of World Lit, and I was HOOKED, I mean hook, line, and sinker, on World Lit, Multiculturalism, all things involving the other views, than the common Western World point of view and Chinua Achebe was one of those first authors.  A great tribute to Chinua Achebe from NPR does exist as well.

It took guts to defy the common writings people from outside Africa had written, and the said, “Hey!  This is MY country and this is the voice that my country has, not the voice other countries choose to give us!”  He was one of the most respected writer I came across and helped define a whole new world of literature that changed my reading, as well my my perception of how countries are perceived, and who they are perceived by.

To find out more, definitely check out the Shelfari look at Chinua Achebe, one of the finest writers that impacted issues of Multiculturalism, maybe next to Edward Said.

…as we remembered the little details that made New York, well, New York…

There is an AWESOME ice cream store called The Big Gay Ice Cream Store on East 7th Street, and MYGOSH, the flavor Salty Pimp is the BEST – I mean, AWESOME! – Thanks to Camila for the find, and Ana/Natalia for jumping in and all of us for enjoying it!  I saw flavors I didn’t know existed from their slide show!

The MOMA closes at 5:30 PM – at least on the weekend we went, Saturday, so make sure you go EARLY!

The Naked Cowboy still exists and roams Times Square!

There is another HUGE hostel right off of Amsterdam, called the International Youth Hostel.

The Pizza place Two Boots is a great way to eat before lining up for The Newyurocian Cafe, and they have many celebrities’ style of pizza, including “The Newman!” (delicious!) (Not Paul Newman, but Newman (Paul Knight) from Seinfeld!)

Mel’s Burgers has a variety of fries, appetizers, and one of the THICKEST milkshakes EVER….:)

Oren’s Daily Roast is on the way on Columbia, and as soon as you walk in, you are greeted like you are family.  AWESOME muffins, AWESOME chai tea, and just awesome people…

La Famiglia has awesome pizza, stromboli’s and salads as even 1:00 in the morning and welcomes everyone in!

Carnegie Deli has perhaps the largest Ruben known to man!  (And the largest pickle!)

Cubby Graham, of Charity Water, demonstrated the water pumps they place all over the world, and they have a tracking device to monitor amount pumped, if there is a problem with the pump, to make sure that country is taken care of – not just a drop and leave situation for that country.

There is such a thing as Off Broadway, and even Off Off Broadway shows!  Thank you Ms. Rachel Reiner!)  All about the seating…:)

There are many more discoveries we made but these will let us reflect on many of them!

Wow!  Someone asked me if I felt the earthquake today, (yesterday now!)  nope!  LOL…(good!)  Amazing, but I was sleeping, so yeah, I can sleep through an earthquake it seems.

Moving back to what Sunday, our last day in New York was like for us – well, it was early so ugh,  🙂 – I woke up from a deep, deep, sleep, made my way out of the Hotel Newton, headed to the metro, and, being early, of course took the wrong train, and came back and boarded the #1 metro to Jazz on the Park.  I wasn’t the only one snoozing by a longshot – so I felt better 🙂  I woke Alice up, packed my things I left behind, we all started to get ready for the 7:00 AM pickup.  We ate bagels and muffins in Jazz on the Park, then as we gathered one last time in the lobby, the girls had something behind their back…..MYSTERIOUS….:)  they presented me with a Tony for Best Teacher, that was sooooo cooool!  🙂  I hugged them and thanked them for the kindest gift I can remember, and then they gave me a wrapped package on top of that.  I waited to open as we realized the pickup was here, and we were heading….HOOOOMMMME!  Minus Sofia, Natalie, Ms Dickson, and Camille, we were on our way from NY, a sunny day, as we checked in, and had a few moments at the airport  to take a few pics….I opened my package – Look below!  It was signed by the author, AND – the students – best gift EVER!

Believe it or not, I read the WHOLE thing on the flight home, I mean, the WHOLE book – no kidding.  Cover to cover, it was GREAT, no,  mean terrific.  I couldn’t believe I read the whole thing, literally, but it was really really good.  I never read anything by Harlan Coben, but this was exceptional. (sorry, had to get the puppies in there too!)

There is not much I can say about the flight home, that would even pale against the whole New York adventure in itself, yet, feeling the warmth was amazing as I got off the plane, and I knew, this weather was the best compared to the snow and the constant cold.  New York would NOT have been New York without the company I had surrounding me.

Aside from loving every moment I could spend with the students look at this overview:

On Tuesday we were able to meet Raphael Martin, Literary & Humanities Manager at Soho Repertory Theatre, who answered us about the off broadway experience and showed us through the Soho Theatre.  Amazing Q & A with him and insight into some awesome off broadway shows!  Then later, getting the opportunity to meet Cubby Graham earlier from Charity Water and getting an amazing tour – and getting info for Ms Dixie’s class AND seeing their Friday Times Square event! – WOW!  OVERLOAD already!

Wednesday we hit Columbia running with new workshops, where I presented info on the students for the very FIRST TIME.  Being able to attend a first class Nuyorican Open Mic Cafe that premieres poets on UTube, and one of our staff being a judge for the championships that would occur on Friday!

Thursday we attended more awesome workshops, the Staff presented to a great crowd FOR THE FIRST TIME (and featured on the slideshow at Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia, we rushed off to meet JP escorting us to The Russian Tea Room dinner, then Mama Mia, meeting the lead boyfriend Zak Resnick in the musical, Mama Mia and meeting Clif Thorn who generously escorted us, introduced us, and gave us much to think about regarding the process of musicals and his experiences, seeing behind stage, meeting other actors of the Broadway Show, amazing night!  repentino final presentation at the above link!

Friday also attending more awesome workshops, meeting Rachel Reiner,   Senior Manager of Membership Services and Education Programs member of the Broadway League and owner of an off Broadway Group Resonance Ensemble, being treated like royalty and asking so many questions about the history of Broadway, being able to then go on to attend the Finals of the Open Mic Performances Friday night as well!

Saturday being able to capture amazing photos of 911 for an educational packet we have been planning for students that might not remember 911, along with the sightseeing we were able to fit into the cracks in between, this trip was amazingly meaningful because of the heart the staff put into everything they did, which makes all the difference in the world.

Overall, these experiences took the cake and allowed the students to experience, interview, present, and find out facts that would take them to many different paths in their own futures.

“Everything is connected.”  With Marlene Mervine saying this about Chapel Branch years ago, this is never more true today.  As my class in Mexico begins to ground ourselves coming back from speaking at a conference in New York, returning to  Mexico, we also begin to realize life doesn’t stop, and how do we keep up with the many events going on around us?  Taking a break before we close out the remainder of the posting in this blog of events in New York, Tuesday The Nanticoke Watershed goes to provide information on what Chapel Branch means to the surrounding individuals that have grown up with areas such as Chapel Branch and other outlying areas.  Here has what has been said specifically when asked about the Vince Morris Trail at Chapel Branch, found at  38°37’40″N   75°38’20″W, this is what we have as a HANDFUL of people among many that have discovered Chapel Branch:

Laura Garmendia –

“Watched my kids run cross country there and loved walking the trails while we lived there…definitely not a place to “let go”….Beautiful property. I know my family will never forget all the bonding experiences there.” (Children – Jaime and Cristina Garmendia).

Former SHS Student and

Cross Country Alumni-

‘If I were to detract a part of the name of this trail; break the branch in half until it hangs limply, swinging in the wind until it snaps and falls, leaving only “Chapel”, it would be more fitting. More accurate. More true. Because that was what it was to me – a natural sanctuary. The dirt was my altar, the trees were my idols, and the winding path was my ritual. Five times a week, I devoted my body and mind to this place – to the point where my feet, wrapped in their porous, laced encasing, would blister and crack and burn in exalting veneration. Toward betterment. Toward perfection. I was perfection and Chapel Branch, with its wide, forgiving paths, helped me to obtain that. Chapel Branch gave me perfection – just as it gave me protection – that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Long time Devotee to Chapel Branch, all things Nature in Delaware, Melinda Duryea, and current educator at Blades Elementary-

Chapel Branch is a great place to enjoy nature. On my walks there I always see several varieties of birds (even saw a Bard owl..awesome), beautiful flowers in the spring/summer, butterflies, deer, frogs, lizards, snakes, and someone even reported to have seen a fox squirrel. I love it there. Whenever I’m there I feel a solace that is hard to explain.  It’s an awesome place.

Cross Country Runner and alumni of Seaford Cross Country, Rob Urell-

“Wow, to describe what Chapel Branch means to me is a pretty hard task. Whenever I think of CB (Chapel Branch) I get an overwhelming mix of emotions. That wasn’t a just a place to practice and to race but that was a place to let go and think. I couldn’t tell you how many times I ran at Chapel Branch or how many times I went there to just walk around and think. Some of my fondest high school memories are there. I’m sure some people have no idea what or where Chapel Branch even is but there is so much more there then just trails, there is years and years of memories. As a cross country team we use to go out to clean up every season while Coach Morris and Coach Perciful (CP) would make sure all the directions were clear with a new coat of paint. Chapel branch is a great place and I think it needs to be maintained for years to come, someday I hope to come back a coach a cross country team there. As a wise man always said “yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift that’s why it’s called the present.” They say home is where the heart is…I challenge anyone who second guesses what I say to go out to Chapel Branch and run the course or walk in and down to the bridge and tell me you can’t feel something, you know you can.”

Thanks!, Robb Urell

As a former Cross Country Coach, educator, and community volunteer,  as well as a devotee to all things care taking through Coaches Morris and Perciful, these are my thoughts:

“I remember the first time I actually approached Chapel Branch.  It was the night following Coach Morris’ loss to Leukemia.  Coach Morris had very little losses, so this is what struck me the most, that he was actually not beside me to talk this dilemma over with, and I had to do something, go somewhere.  I chose this place they called Chapel Branch, and as I approached at close to midnight after a stress filled run all over Seaford, I saw the branches, I saw the hat left behind, I saw the signs that others had visited here already and realized the name “Chapel” was something holy when it came to this place.  I vowed to return to find out what it was about.

When I did return, I found that I was offended when people threw their garbage along the trails.  Tires, mattresses, clothes left carelessly there reminded me of all the stories from others of Vince spending time after time, making sure Chapel Branch remained a sanctuary for all who needed such a place.  Little did I know, that this would always be a home to Cross Country Runners, as their trophy from Vince.  Little did I also know, the markers once identified so many important characteristics of the environment, this area truly was a gift.  To let it be disappear and degrade to nothing, would be to not acknowledge the importance of the events that had occurred there, and that could not happen.

Possibility.  That is what The Vince Morris Trail at Chapel Branch is filled with, more than the mysteries of nature, the countless meetings, practices, walks, 5k’s, and cleanups that have occurred here, Chapel Branch is one of many ares that has possibilities that outlast a lifetime.  Creating a nature center, educational arenas, physical education projects, as well as conservation awareness classrooms allows students to take what is available out of the classroom, and bring fresh ideas INTO the classroom.  In doing so, we see a treasure in our back yards, just what Coach Perciful and Morris would have wanted.  Is that worth keeping?

Take a walk among the trails of Chapel Branch and let your body, soul, and mind help you decide.  They have never let generations of participants in Chapel Branch down, and neither will it let you down now as you experience areas that are already so much, and can be so much more for future generations.”   –  Harry Brake

March 30th marks a gathering of individuals at Chapel Branch to do the yearly cleaning, maintenance, and restoration of this area.  We hope you can spread the word to help us, get others to help us, and to continue to prepare for the May 11th 5k at Chapel Branch, which will celebrate this area, the individuals that believed in such an area, and individuals such as Dan Dobson, Lynne Betts, Marlene Mervince, and countless others that have helped maintain this area.  Thank you!

Dr betts and vince morris app

SATURDAY – March 23rd – the day before we left – wow – I have to say – EXHAUSTING….;)   But – time was going so fast!

Friday we had to consolidate down minus one room – and this originally was thought to work out three girls in one room, but despite the smallness of the ladies, this was not going to work, in the wee hours of Friday after the Open Mic Night Championships ( I know, I did miss it but I hung close to Jazz on the Park to see if a room opened up) – it did not, lol, and when everyone started to filter in – we tried to see if I could take one mattress, maybe someone could use the floor and sleeping blanket, but unfortunately, these options all ran dry.

Only option – and still the best one, was to give up my room and for me to find an alternate location, for the next 2 days, making sure the ladies were in, snug, and safe.  We decided I would leave my shopping items in the room, Alice took my room, and I began to ask via phone neighboring hostels of availability.  I immediately tried an International Youth Hostel – packed.  Another Jazz on the Park on Amsterdam, PACKED.  BY LUCK – one room was available, for one night (well like right now which was 1:00 AM until check out Saturday (it was Saturday!) at 10:00 – but I was like, YEAH!  YES!  YES YES!  🙂   So I had one night, now needed two….but that would come later.

They held the room for me – for 30 minutes, I checked on everyone, they were good, – we originally planned on meeting Saturday afternoon to work on 911 photos and other areas for the staff of the 911 project at ASF – I hustled to Chelsea Jazz on the Park on 11th Avenue, checked in, sharing the room was someone – who my luck, was a GREAT older gentleman traveling so he didn’t mind the late night intrusion.  I scanned some possibilities for an open room for Saturday night to Sunday – nothing, but at that point was super super tired, so decided to call it a night (well, actually 4:00 AM Saturday) and sleep the sleep of the dead, I died sleeping as sound as a baby for sure.

I woke up at 10:00 AM – Still Saturday – and began the New York room search, and after an hour – I did FIND ONE – but it was uncertain.  I then went on to call the students via text/email, and stated for their sake and mine, since Friday had been a late night with the Open Mic NewUYorkian Poet Cafe finals, to let them off the hook, and just to schedule dinner together at 7:30 – location to be decided by them.  In the meantime, I would do the 911 project to the best of my ability, as well as find a place to stay!  🙂 I figured correctly, everyone slept in LATE – so this worked out excellent! (Some people slept to two o’clock, now that is what I am talking about!)

I, through a strange twist of events was able to talk to the former New York mayor, which in turn helped me get a place to stay at the Newton Hotel, seriously perhaps the LAST room in New York for Saturday to Sunday –  THAT is a story in itself, but what I found ironic, was the fact that it was on Broadway, Hotel Newton, only two one train stop from the rest of the gang!  YEAH!  BINGO!  I rushed out of the complimentary bagel breakfast at Jazz on the Park, moved my luggage I had with me to the OTHER side of Central Park – (a beautiful sunny day!) texting everyone not realizing they were STILL ASLEEP!, and checked into The Newton Hotel, thanking them for letting me check in way before normal check in.  I think they appreciated the last 24 hours I had had, lol.  Then, I was off to 911 – where I met my friend Umar, a graduate of Butler High, Butler, PA with me, and we walked through the Empire State Building area, to a restaurant of his choice, Heartland Brewery.  Wow.  Food AMAZING.  I mean the Enchiladas I had and the fries, – TO DIE FOR – A W E S O M E –  worth putting in my restaurant blog.  Then Umar shows me a jersey he bought me – a TERRY BRADASHAW #12!    FREAKING YEAH!  But this was not all…I did give him the Mexico version of Steeler fan-clubbing with an authentic Steeler poncho – and then… (crazy day!)

We met an AWESOME couple – from BUTLER, PA – Prospect to be specific,  at the bar with us as we were eating!  WHAT? Seriously?  He works at Butler County Community College and knew some of the people I knew when I interned there!  (Not mentioning names yet since this is a wide audience)  🙂   I mean, WHAT? NO KIDDING!  SERIOUSLY! AGGGGH!  We talked about the Pens, the Steelers, BUTLER!  for ever! What were the chances?!  LOL….

We then got a text, thanks to Umar checking his new awesome phone and my account in my blog, email, facebook, ALICE WAS UP!  YEAH!  She didn’t know where everyone was in the hostel, but what she didn’t know was most were still out asleep, with  only a few that went to NYU and other collegiate areas at 11:00 having just missed them.  We arranged to all do the 911 together, Alice, Me, and my friend Umar.

We left in a state of euphoria, kind of like, can you believe we met someone from our HOMETOWN?  LOL…

Noonish arrives, and brings Alice, myself, and Umar going upstairs from the metro, and a gentleman that has a stroller with two children needing help up the stairs.  We go to help him carry the stroller, and yep – he’s from BUTLER, yeah, BUTLER, PA too!  🙂  No kidding – NO FREAKING WAY.  We are laughing now, and just like, WHAT THE HECK?!  🙂  Waaaaay crazy!  On the way to the 911 site, we still are a little dazed, yet, amazed (RHYMES!) – and began taking in the new buildings – now making up 911.  WOW.  EVERYTIME, even this has been maybe 8-9 years, I go to New York, I see new images and perceptions of the same areas I visit, that is AWESOME!  🙂

The buildings blended into the sky, I was AMAZED – 🙂  We were abel to retrieve a tons of images to serve for our 911 Educational project.  Umar took some awesome photos and here is one  (mine are RAW images and will take awhile to download!)    I am never surprised, yet I am, in how many angles New York has to show off as a city.  It was breathtaking again showing Alice all the memorials to the individuals who served to well, serve others.

We then moved on, with Umar and I parting as it takes him close to 2 hours to train in from Long Island, and Alice andI decided on seeing the MOMA.

On the way there, we were detracted…by…A Toy Store, but not just ANY Toy Store! (As the link will prove!)  We saw bears, and giraffes, and Harry Potter and the HUMAN keyboard piano!, and CANDY and…okay – onto the Moma…

NOOO!  It closed at 5:30 and we arrive AT 5;30…..I regret maybe seeing the Toy Store first, but deep down, LOVED the toy store, but felt bad as we missed the MOMA…:(  We sacrificed the time we WOULD have spent there and went to Rockefeller Center, the awesome skating rink, then to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, onto past Radio City, and that AWESOME painter with landscapes of New York with paint can and caps – we were getting so close to dinner time!  -(Stomach rumbling)

We decided to go to Carnegie Deli (Thank you Alexa!) – 7:30 and began texting everyone, not Mel’s but Carnegie Deli! – while we cut the time looking for some makeup for Monica Simmons – finding some but not all in Duane Reade stores nearby.

Finally – 🙂   DINNER!  We went into Carnegie Deli, afraid everyone was doing their own thing and just decided, let’s eat!  The comment of someone leaving stating this restaurant did not maintain its Jewish roots anymore made us reflect, but we thought we could still see this from the aurograohs and the amazing food served here and as we waited, amazingly, it was like a Flash MOB!  Everyone from our group began coming in!  YESSSS!  It was like the New York version of the last supper ( I am sure that is sacreligious) but let me tell you, HOW COOL was it we were all together the last night ?  Way more than Cool, it was just, – AAGGG!  PERFECT!

 I realized right then and there, the trip was Great because of the Repentino. ladies that came, and I would not have been any other place for dinner with any other people, than them.   If you’re talking about the food, MY GOSH – servings that could crush the Incredible Hulk’s appetite – SERIOUSLY!   We had to get out early to head to Barnes and Noble on 79th – to grab a book I had to replace at ASF library, and barely made it out before the doors closed – Natalie, I owe you 10.00 !  🙂

We made it back to the hostel, and honestly, I was exhausted recalling all that occurred, from that late morning of needing to find a new room, to right here now, ready to leave back to Mexico in the AM. MAJOR WHOA.  However, the story does not end here, so stay tuned for the next post as we departed this amazing trip on Sunday – just one day ago..:)

Not sure you might agree, but I see this, as a record of comments made in the sessions we made as just that, a spread of art – cool to look at and read, and retelling the story of a story of success at CSPA in 2013.

transcripts of backchanneling CSPA2013

So yeah, I have been giving you the lowdown of the details – but here’s behind the scenes (so to speak)

Keeping up with an intense schedule, tons of important members of the community, checking in, etc.

I have never been so proud of a never presented before staff doing so for Columbia, seeing this staff meet and greet powerhouses in New York and holding their own, could I POSSIBLY want for a better staff, here and in Mexico?  This trip has been a pilgrimage of sorts, and overall, Repentino. becomes more of a magazine as we delve into how we want to not only represent ASF, but ourselves and this amazing young staff does that every day.  VERY impressed with this group of young ladies and the Repentino. staff I miss in Mexico, that together – form a staff of confidence, daring, and   a treasure trove of talent.  All they need is to have those around the, willing to let them spread their wings – Would I take a bullet for this staff?   Would I jump into a raging river after them?  Strangely enough, absolutely I would do that as they wear and represent their soul and heart out for everyone to see – this is what makes them my favorites  🙂

ay, so we are done at 12:30 today, so how’s this..we meet in front of the Lerner Auditorium at 12:45 latest today.

we eat lunch together…until 1:30ish or something, nothing fancy,extravagant, etc.

then random places around Columbia and meet in front of 29 7th avenue – AT 3:15 SHARP then to see Ms Reiner (We are seeing Rebecca Reiner at the Broadway League) today… then to

Hardrock Cafe- option for 10:00PM Slam Poetry tonight – (need to be in line by 8:00 at LATEST) – please check in with my by 1:00 AM for all)

Saturday – we eat breakfast by 10:00 AM – then head to our own plans of the day – IF I can get 3 people to help me with 911 for 3 hours, this would be something I could use help with, we’d be done by noon, and we meet somewhere for our last dinner together in New York, in by midnight Saturday, check in.

Sunday – we are off, some of us will be leaving too early to eat breakfast together, so dinner Saturday will ned to be the call of the day?

DON’T forget to get your bags in my room – 308, and check out with your keys, and we will make sure to check into new rooms – problem, we have 7 girls, and 3 private rooms that easily can fit 2 per bed, we need one room, three girls…(I am sorry!) I tried to get another room, but none opened up and all are taken….) but good news,it is only for 2 night 🙂 Sorry! This was the closest we could come to everyone being out together!

Please check in with me at Lerner Auditorium today, before going here and there, and then we meet back here at 12:45 latest to go to lunch…

IT IS FRIDAY ALREADY?  SINCE when?  LOL…

Okay, catching a breath, let’s recap…

Monday fly in with a flurry.  Late night eats, Tuesday – EXPLORE NY!  COMMENTS about they city, shops, and treasures found  Tuesday night – the first birthday celebration at Mel’s Hamburgers, everyone takes part and had a piece of chocolate cake – al a mode, birthday celeb take one.  Then more shopping, and then….

Wednesday – FIRST DAY conference – CSPA!  – log in, Tweeting, our first presentation, free lunch, rush to meet Mr Raphael Martin Soho Theatre rep, see Soho, visit Soho area, then go to NewuYorkian Open Mic – AMAZING, so far to me, the most amazing part of the trip next to Mr. Martin, was this Open Mic night, I mean THIS WAS AN OPEN MIC!  🙂 Camila was a judge helping the amazing winner Alicia get to the final round of competition, as we cheered on excitingly and full of energy.   AMAZING experience, AMAZING  :), block-long lines, and yet, we missed Alexa, Camille, and Sofia while they were diligent in getting their work in, we respected that but still missed them…:(   Late night cab ride home and…

THURSDAY – THURSDAY!  FANCY MYSTERIOUS SECRET DINNER, then MAMA MIA, limo ride, AND even though we presented yesterday TODAY at 2:30 is Repentino’s presentation from the staff!  🙂  YEAH!!!!  go to todaysmeet.com/CSPA to join the conversation and workshop – We’d love to have you.  Yes we have pictures but they are`soooo huge, we will get them up but it will take awhile amid the workshops…

So here was the skinny on Thursday – Sessions some good – seeing the staff work and prepare for their presentation here throughout the day…

the afternoon sped by like CRAZY – CRAZY and boom, we are in the room we are presenting in, Hamilton, and no MAC adapter for the screen/projector.  I was there early, so I called the IT for Columbia, and they said, “You got lucky in the last room – someone left an adapter there, however, we do not do that!” – I did go into panic a bit, but immediately emailed Alexa and Camila and told them to email the visual, just to be safe – so we have it on the computer in the room.  Next, I emailed Rebecca at CSPA, and no kidding, within 30 minutes, a Mac adapter! AWESOME!

Ms Dickson and family came, and students were coming in!  Repentino. arrived, and voila – they were GREAT!  GREAT – Nervous at first, but the presentation, experiences, questions, advice, started to flow and THEY DID AWESOME  🙂  VERY VERY PROUD – and everyone’s attention WAS captivated and kept…

Excited about how good they did, we headed back to be ready to be picked up at 4:45 – YES!  – JP’s limo, we have two, the ladies looked STUNNING! – and we headed in two limos to the restaurant – mysterious – THE Russian Tea Room!  It was mega mega formal, VERY fancy, and I have to say, the food stunned me and made me salivate, and was DELICIOUS – yet, the group we were with made it AMAZING – however, the atmosphere was okay – just not super comfortable – however, the wait staff, ALL OF THEM, were AMAZING – and AWESOME –

we left a little late, like 7:20 – to travel via JP to the Winter Garden Theatre to see Mama MIA!  I did not know what to expect, but after getting JP and limo prepared for our exit, we went in, grabbed seats, and I have to say…

I truly enjoyed it.  At intermission I realized we were going to talk to Zach following the performance, and we met Clif Thorn, who led us into the back area, then met ZACH! – the girls, um, LIKED him to say the least!  We toured the backstage, went ONSTAGE, and overall, it was AWESOME to have just seen him performing and then bam!  Talking to him!  That was definitely a highlight, and then…we got into JP’s limos full of reggaie, rap and loud jamming music, headed back to the hostel, and crashed – kind of  🙂  It was a night full of meeting who’s who and seeing New York brought to our doorstep!

Again, the second day, it has been hard, it has been rough, and PACKED, but amongst the tweeting, students receiving acceptances for college, and so much more, a piece of New York remains with us.