Making Money & Thinking 'Bout You

 Over a month in New York City. Feels more and more like normal as the days roll on.

I am pretty set in my class schedule. I try to keep up being frugal with spending for groceries and other things. 

Good news is now I have a part time source of income! I have a job to go to every Saturday night now, helping out a young family in SoHo. I'm really glad all my childcare skills and certifications can still be of some use.

Since it is only one day week currently, I am still looking for more work with a flexible schedule to fit my class curriculum. New York is not a cheap place to live, that's for sure.

I won't deny, I've definitely made some sizable purchases lately that will be put to use soon. 

I've even been eying other pretty expensive stuff that I know is WAY out of my price range right now. I know I will need to wait a while to even think of buying more things right now, but you never know how long they'll last before they're gone!

That's definitely the hardest thing about managing your money wisely. 

Also walking through SoHo these past two weekends on the way to work...passing by all the big designer brand stores and artisan restaurants. Really doesn't feel any better seeing all that knowing I'm nowhere near close being able to buy any of their stuff.

YET.

Sure I may feel a twinge envious seeing people with all their shopping bags and eating in the fanciest looking places around the city. But I still only just got here! I've got more than enough time to reach those highpoints once I graduate in May.

I'll be able to work full time, go to auditions and open mics to try and book my next role. I could rent a room or sublet a whole apartment within budget and maintain a stable routine schedule for as long as need be. 

I may still be new around here, but that won't stop me from looking ahead to a bigger, brighter future.

Even amidst all the hustle and bustle and excitement of my New York life, I still think about home in California. I still call my family whenever I feel lonely and want to hear their voices, but there have been moments thinking of those who I can't talk to anymore.

Like my grandmother; my Nana. Today would've been her 86th birthday. She's been gone for four years now, which feels impossible.

She was one of my biggest cheerleaders from the very beginning of my desire to perform. She always did her best to come to our school plays, award ceremonies, any big events her grandchildren were part of. Even when she couldn't she still sent her love our way either by a message through my aunts or being the savviest Facebook grandparent I will ever know!

My nana is always with me; I know she's looked out for me and given her hand in guiding me towards the big decisions I have been making in life since she left us. She loved butterflies, so whenever I have seen one fly within eyesight I feel that it's her letting me know she's still here no matter what.

I'll always have a piece of her with me, in more ways than one.

We share the same birthday month, and therefore the same birthstone. I vaguely recall when I was younger visiting my Nana and finding a beautiful gold ring with the most shimmery opal stone I have ever seen. Whenever I visited after I was always looking around towards the shelf where the ring stood delicately stored in a small box.

Years later, when I was around seventeen or eighteen years old, my Nana gave me the ring in that little box. She said she always knew how I admired it, and wanted me to eventually have it for my own.

Nowadays I wear it around my neck on a chain, but sometimes I slip it on my finger and watch the opal's flecks glisten against the slightest light.

Almost instantly relaxes me, centers my thoughts. Like my Nana is right over my shoulder, comforting me.

This Saturday I will turn twenty five. I know she'll be there with me, the love and spirit of her family to keep with me even when far away.

I will never let that change.

I love you, Nana. 

Your Shannie girl

Blending Right In

 In three days it will already be a MONTH since I first arrived to stay for good here in New York.

The time just flew by so much faster than I thought. I guess being used to the Los Angeles atmosphere and California vibes for pretty much all my life so far, I didn't think I would adjust to big city life so quickly.

Turns out my mindset truly was MADE for the Big Apple! 

I'm just glad I have been so eager to go out whenever I have free time and find some events to be a part of as a new New Yorker.

October 2nd was the March for Abortion Rights, starting down at the city Supreme Court building in Foley Square and going all the way up over a dozen blocks to Washington Square Park. 

I arrived prepared with a sign I hastily made the night before, pink glitter spilling off all the handprinted letters as I carried it through the streets and subway.

Nonetheless I displayed it proudly as I walked along fellow supporters, all genders and all ages standing together in support of all womens' right to choose. 

We were also graced with the presence and support of Amy Schumer, Jennifer Lawrence, and various city activists, office candidates, and Congresspeople. One real double take moment was right as we were approaching Washington Square Park, we passed by actor and Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham standing along the curb with a fist raised up in support.

Once we reached the park, I was surprised to see there was already packs of people there just enjoying themselves. From that and the hundred some turnout from the march, it looked like it would be impossible for everyone to fit! 

Honestly I still don't know if they all would have, since most people were wondering the same thing and just left after that.

The next day I was probably the most excited for. I attended my very first Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction in Shubert Alley. I'd only ever seen pictures from past years, and didn't really know what to expect outside of show merchandise and live auctions I could NEVER afford to enter. 

It was far much more than I ever thought. Used costume pieces and makeup! Props and design sketches! Scripts, librettos, and various books on any areas of the industry!

Unfortunately, when you're living on a student budget and still seeking work you can't afford to spend much. Still I was just as happy getting to be there and see everything the flea market had to offer. 

Even hold some of them...like a pair of silver slippers from WICKED, worn by Jenna Leigh Green who was my first Nessarose when I first saw the show back in Los Angeles!

I was also mindful of keeping my eyes open to see anyone I recognized, whether actors, dancers, or producers. And I was pretty lucky!

After seeing him play Beetlejuice almost two years ago, I got to meet Alex Brightman and tell him I had left a letter for him at the stage door...but never knew if he got it or read it. 

No matter if he did or not, he still appreciated it and even complimented my Defying Gravity shirt that I've had forever. I probably got it back when he was still playing Boq in the show!

I also spotted Broadway journalist Eddie Shapiro at one of the live auctions, where a signed edition of his book on Broadway leading ladies was up for grabs. Not his autograph though; they were the autographs of all the actresses he interviewed for the book!

Except Carol Channing. But no biggie.

Helping to emcee the auctions was Jennifer Cody, who has had notable standout roles in shows like Urinetown and Shrek the Musical. And she's the voice of Charlotte from Disney's The Princess and the Frog! AND she's married to Tony nominee Hunter Foster and sister in law to Tony WINNER Sutton!

All that slipped my mind though when I went up and asked to take a picture with her. I was so giddy to share that this was my first Flea Market and I had just moved to the city. Jennifer was so sweet and welcoming to me and I honestly can't find the words to describe how wonderful that made me feel.

Writer, actor, and On Broadway radio host Seth Rudetsky had a table right across from the auction and we took a picture together as well. I got to tell him what a fan I was of his Stars in the House video series and he gave me a discount card for his next live Broadway Breakdown concerts.

Though I didn't buy anything that day, I made a ten dollar donation to Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS, which all the proceeds of the auction and flea market benefit. Over the course of thirty years, this event has raised over twelve MILLION dollars for the organization alone. 

This year's Broadway Flea Market made over 753 thousand dollars! Broadway fans really know how to give!

With all that weekend's excitement, I should have expected the events of this week. I came down with a bad cold and had to be holed up in my room, and observe my classes virtually through Zoom. But hey, at least I wasn't still in California. 

I've been resting as much as I can, drinking lots of water, typical sickness stuff that my mom would recommend. Zicam is a pretty effective cold medicine thank goodness, so now I'll never have to drink Emergen-C again. Natural fruit flavors, yeah right!

So this weekend is going to be a recharger. Staying in and staying focused on keeping up with classes and assignments, like I promised myself I would.

Making it here is going to be all about hard work for a while. 

At least I feel right at home.