New York, New York

I can see her from my window, how cool is that?

I'm not actually in NY, NY, in truth my address is in Brooklyn. But right across the water from me, a short 30 minute subway ride away, is the heart of New York. Yummy. I've got a room at the YWCA, and I'm loving it. I'm dancing my little backside off (pretty much literally, I'm being worn to the bone), and eating up every moment. I'm bruised (literally), sore, exhausted to the point of not having the energy to want to eat (me, not wanting to eat, there must be pigs flying by someplace), and having such a great time. This is awesome. If I ever doubted my wanting to move out here when I graduated, all those doubts are totally gone. Even if I make zero money dancing, even if I get fully rejected by everyone I audition for, it will still be a chance to live for a year in this fabulous place. I took a walk around the block yesterday, and passed about 5 African apparel shops, an equal number of Islamic apparel shops (not to mention Islamic fragrance stores, which I'm a little confused about), and about 10 groceries with names like "Jorge's" or "Gonzalez." Fun. I love the subway, with all the impatient people and odd characters and smashed humanity. I love being able to buy tea for 50 cents from a stand on the street, and count the number of people with iPods I see around (I think I got 15 yesterday), and be in the minority being white. It's cool to see how nice people are, especially with all the stories and stereotypes of mean New Yorkers. I'm also really amused by picking out the little ballerina teenagers who are here for ABT's workshop, their pink tights and severe buns are like a neon sign no matter where they are, not to mention that characteristic ballet stance they all asume while waiting for the light to change (they are the only ones who wait, too). I saw a policeman crossing the street against the "don't walk" sign today, that was fun.
If you hadn't noticed, I'm loving it here, and I've only been in town for 3 days. I fear August will come way too quickly.