Life in LA

When I was growing up I always hated LA. My parents would drive me up for various dance related things and I always thought Orange County was much better. Now that I live here, I am learning there is so much I did not know about LA. Here are the things I am learning:
1. Manhattan Beach is possibly the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. Walking along the beautiful houses is a site to be seen!
2. Venice beach has little canals that look like Italy. Today I walked along the Venice Canals and I saw all the canoes and people outside reading.
3. I will have to pay for parking. Always.
4. West LA is not that big. I have seen the same people at the gym, the grocery store, and out on the town. Sometimes this is a good thing. Sometimes this is not a good thing.
5. The Marina Del Rey Costco is the busiest Costco on the mainland. No matter what time of day I go, it is packed.
6. The time difference to the East Coast really does suck. I hate not being able to Facetime with Vienna in the evening and so I have to call at 6am PST in order to see her. Last time I was barely awake but just seeing her face made me happy.

Here are things I miss about NYC:
1. Taking contemporary dance class. I found a great ballet studio but I have yet to find a place to do Contemporary work. I really miss being able to take class at any hour of day.
2. Walking places. The only place I can walk to is Single Ralphs (It is just a regular Ralphs but mainly single people shop there. Maybe I should shop there more?)
3. My friends. I love my friends here but I can't help but miss my crew back in NYC.....

                                                               The Venice Canals!

The Blanket

Some of you may have heard me talk about Sarah Craft. Sarah was my roommate when I lived in Silver Spring, MD and now she lives in  Japan. Well one of my favorite stories we have together is the night we met. I had been in DC for about 0 minutes (really 2 days with my family and one on my own) and after my first day of being an intern I decided to go to small group. But first I needed a blanket to sleep with (after all it was the terrible winter of 2010) and so I picked one up before the group met at the diner. I picked the best one- a full size down comforter-and they only had a queen duvet so that is what I got.

I walked into the diner carrying this big white lump and sat down and made some new friends. I honestly do not know who was sitting next to me or across from me, but sitting diagonally was a girl rocking a turtleneck. She seemed to laugh at my odd jokes and a few weeks later she asked if I was interested in being her roommate.

Living with Sarah and Rosa was amazing. Our apartment rocked (gym and a pool) and these girls were legit. I was invited into their tight group of friends and I instantly had 10 best girl friends in Maryland. I would  Sarah or Rosa to wake me up sometimes and they would have to find me under my twin size blanket- (YUP IT WAS REALLY A TWIN! MARSHALLS-YOU LIED TO ME) That year was a lot of change for me. I had a break up, I started working full time, I danced in a company, I learned how to deal with people, I took public transportation, I learned how to dress for the snow, I learned how to gchat with 8 people at once etc. And I came home to a big white blanket every night.

When I moved to NYC I shipped the blanket off and it barely fit in my biggest box. I stuffed it in with my memory foam and saw it a few months later ( I did not need a down comforter in a NYC summer). I had four different apartments in NYC and my blanket was by my side.

This brings me to today. Tomorrow is my last day in NYC as I am moving to LA. (Yup, moving again). More has happened in NYC than I thought could happen to a human and now it is time to go. I started packing a few weeks ago and most things were easy to pack or toss. Cowboy boots- yes. Hangers-no. But then I came to the blanket. It would cost more to ship than it was originally. I probably don't need a down comforter in LA as the weather is always perfect. A twin comforter with a queen duvet doesn't even make sense. I was leaning towards a new blanket.

And then I thought of Sarah. I thought of all the memories with that blanket. I thought of the girl that I was when I moved to DC, and how bright eyed she was. I thought of my friends and how much they have shaped me into the person I am today.

I vacuum sealed the blanket. You will see it in my new apartment not just because I found a big enough box, but because its comforting to me. Kind of like a huge security blanket?

 I have no idea what new adventures LA will bring, but I know I want to come home to that blanket. Good days, bad days, my blanket will be there. Just like the friends I have made and the people that have supported me.

Maybe I will get a new pillow instead?

an overdue update

I apologize. The purpose of this blog is to keep people up to date about my life. As my last post was in March 2012, I can honestly say I have failed. But a new year and new resolutions means I get to try again. Here it goes:

The recap of the past 9 months:

1. I graduated from NYU with my MA in Dance Education and K-12 Certificate. I made amazing friends, learned about dance ed, and hopefully launched a new part of my career..
2. I student taught at two amazing sites- PS 372 and JKO High School. I could not have asked for better cooperating teachers and I had to keep blogs about my experiences there. (those are pretty personal so I can't share those)
3. I moved apartments. Twice.
4. I joined a small group at Redeemer and decided to attend Redeemer.
5. I went back home 4 times (Pollo asada fries....I want some right now......)
6. I worked a bunch of jobs.

Here is what is happening now:
1. I am teaching at the Joffrey Ballet School, 3rd Street Music School Settlement Preschool, Chabad Jewish Preschool.
2. I am an HR intern at Roosevelt Management Company doing temp work for less than 10 hours a week.
3. I moved apartments and I now live with 4 other girls in an amazing apartment on 101st
4. I got a Costco membership
5. I am incredibly blessed to have my small group, the broodles, my CA friends, and family constantly supporting me
6. Vienna Lin Chuang. If you don't know who she is or how I feel about her- then you are not my real friend!

NYC continues to amaze me and I am incredibly lucky to live in my favorite city. However, the tides are turning and I am looking into other cities to move to. Any suggestions?

I AM STILL ALIVE!

Oh Hello WORLD!

Yes, I am still alive. It has been a crazy few months and here is a bit of a recap:

1. I went to UGANDA over Christmas break on an NYU study abroad. In a nutshell, we learned Traditional Ugandan dance for the first week and then taught Ugandan children modern dance the second week.

2. I am working at the Joffrey Ballet School, Jumpstart, and the Children's Aid Society. YIKES! Filling out so many time sheets is so annoying, but I need to work!

3. NYU 2nd semester.......oh lord. We are physically in class more and I wish we were not. We talk a lot this semester and it kind be VERY boring. I really want to get more hands on but at least I am on SPRING BREAK NOW! I have never felt so overwhelmed though and I will be doing homework for spring break.

4. I have an ADORABLE niece named Vienna that I really cannot get enough of. I Facetime all the time and I go to Connecticut to visit once a month.

5. Last week I went to Penn state to represent NYU at the American College Dance. It was a lot of fun and it was very inspiring to see what other colleges are doing.

6. I am thoroughly enjoying the new classroom I am in for Jumpstart. The kids are so cute, they love me, and they are so happy to be there. One of them talks like Elmo and randomly cries but as soon as you distract him he forgets about his tears.

7. I love my roomies.....but we are going to have to move if our landlord does not renew our lease.

8. LINsanity- love it! Pintrest- LOVE IT MORE!

9. I start student teaching in July!

10. I miss dancing. I love taking class and I wish I could enjoy all the classes NYC has to offer.

Despite all my complaining, I really do love living in this city. I enjoy the fast pace, packed days, and the many things to do here. I am making great friends and I have trouble keeping up with everyone. I miss California a LOT especially since it is cold here but it looks like it is heating up soon!

What is going on in your life?

-Chrissie

1st month of Grad School!

WOW! So much has happened since I last wrote! Here is the lowdown:

1. I overall love living in NYC! It really is a dream come true! My mom was here earlier this month and she commented that when I first visited NYC to college visit NYU, I stayed at a hotel that is currently 3 blocks from my now apartment.

2. School is good. Sometimes it feels like undergrad and some days are better than others. Some of my professors are incredibly prepared and engaging, while others could use some work. I really like seeing the same people every day though and exploring dance education.

3. I have made great group of friends in my program! They are from the South and we are getting closer and closer.

4. My apartment is great, I love it! My roomies (ami and jess) are really fun and I love getting to know them.

5. I am working at three jobs again. I work at the Children's Aid Society, Joffrey Ballet School, and Jumpstart! Jumpstart is an Americorps program where we go into preschools and work on reading with the kids. Yes, I am too busy.

6. I still go to the gym 5 times a week!

I feel like I have more to say but I really need to do my reading! Sorry this is so boring. More to come!

-Chrissie

China- Part 2- Shanghai

After Beijing, we flew to Shanghai.

Our itinerary in Shanghai was a bit different since there was less to see and more free time. Our car and guide picked us up and drove us to our hotel. We were far away from downtown but our hotel was amazing. We were put in a suite and it had a gym!

The first night my mom and I decided to explore our hotel area. We ate simple noodles and dumplings which were SO cheap and then headed back to our hotel for rest. The next morning our tour guide picked us up and we went to the Jade Buddha Temple, walked around the French concession, and went to a Silk Factory. The tour also allowed us to go shopping in one of the shopping plazas but it was just as if I was in Irvine. Prices were not any cheaper than America and that really bothered me. There was a huge thunderstorm that night so we just stayed around our hotel area again that night.

The following day was our only "free day" and my mom and I had a blast walking around Shanghai. The city is easy to navigate, subway is easy to use, and we kept finding things to eat, like 85 degrees- my FAVORITE bakery! Boba is super good there too.

We went shopping, a museum, an amazing bookstore, and saw the sights at night. It was really great and chill.

So after Shanghai we went to Hong Kong. Our flight was delayed (of course) so we were not sure what would happen with our tour guide since we knew we would not have a private guide anymore. Eventually we found her and we went to this hotel that seemed to have a MILLION guests. The man who made it was the founder of the Cub Scouts.

Our first night in HK my grand aunt and my auntie met us up and we ate some delicious seafood. We were actually on the Kowloon so we walked across the millions of shops and saw HK at night. I LOVE cities so HK was definitely right up my ally.

The next day we had a group tour and we saw a market and Victoria's Peak. I did not really like the group tour because we spent most of our time in the bus listening to our driver make bad jokes. We drove by a bunch of beaches and I wish I could have gone out to them. That night my mom and I went shopping and bargained for our items. Thanks mom for the fake Toms!

The next morning we went to Macau. Macau has 28 casinos and is a rival to Vegas. Well, I did not see any of that. After the boat from HK to Macau we were shuttled along to a bus where we did random touristy things. We only had 20 min in a hotel so I am sad I did not get to see more of it. Macau had nice fresh air and really good pastries.

That night we met up with an old friend from church and tried to see the Symphony of Lights. We thought the Symphony of Lights would be sort of "disney" because our tour mates raved about it. It was more like a search party but hey, that's cool HK.

Our trip was then over! Thanks Mom for a fabulous taste of the motherland!

China- Part 1

Hey Chrissie, how was China?

Where do I begin!

We will start with the basics. I went to China with my mom and we spent 3 days in Beijing, 3 in Shanghai, and 3 in Hong Kong. In Beijing we climbed the Great Wall, walked through the Forbidden City, saw the Ming Tombs (it's a mound of dirt- I wish I was kidding), grazed through the Summer Palace, strolled through the Temple of Heaven, rickshawed through the Hu Tong, and went to numerous tourist traps. By tourist traps I mean a jade factory, pearl factory, traditional Chinese pharmacy, porcelain factoy, and acrobatic show. We had a private car and tour guide which was wonderful and the only reason we were able to have such productive days.

The Great Wall was way steeper than I expected. Those steps are a beast! I had no traction on my shoes and I was focused on not falling down the Great Wall like humpty dumpty meanwhile I had the voice of my mother counting every step she took. 622 steps, in case you were wondering. What fascinated me about the Great Wall was the attire. I came in an old t-shirt, tattered jeans, and shoes that ended up breaking. The other tourists came in wedges, dresses, suits, while THEY HELD THEIR BABIES. I am not kidding.

My favorite place we visited was the Temple of Heaven. This place was in my guide book as a must-see but was not on our tour. My mom and I woke up at 5am to take the subway and see the Temple of Heaven and its park before we left for Shanghai. When we entered the park we saw a vast amount of trees and even more elderly Chinese people doing various forms of exercise. If you know me, I love being outside and I love exercise even more. The Temple of Heaven was a perfect combination for me!

Beijing was a lot cleaner than I expected. Even though the air quality was horrible (apparently you can rarely see the sun even though we saw a lot if it) the place was CLEAN. I felt like I was in a suburb, traffic included!

The food in Beijing was not what I expected. I thought it would be better! The one exception was the Peking Duck. I don't even like duck that much, but this duck was phenomenal. I gobbled it up and my mother and I could not believe what amazing flavor it had. Out of everything I ate in China, this duck was the most fantastic.

Next post- Shanghai!