Colour My World

I swear, I need to start posting on my blog more regularly. Its a place where I like to vent and just get my feelings and thoughts out. It's great, so I'm going to try and make it a weekly thing.

So, in the month I haven't posted-

• I went to several shows (including Anything Goes, Wicked, Priscilla (again), and Godspell)
• I found out my shoe sales associate from Nordstrom (I've been working with her exclusively since the beginning of 2011) got a job at Louis Vuitton. I'm proud of her and know where to go if I ever need LV, but now I need a new shoe person and its not like I'm going to Nordys every week like I used to. Luckily Nordys is great with costumer service, so I have a $50 gift card coming my way and they'll set me up with a new sales person. I'm picky, so hopefully they find someone good for me, my mom, and sister. ;) 
• My mom & sister visited! I never understood the appeal of parents visiting, but now I do. It was a great weekend of shopping, seeing shows, and eating out for a solid weekend. 
• I gave up on doing my own laundry and found a nice wash & fold place. I love NYC. 
• I'm attempting to cross places off my Urbanspoon wish list- I currently have 45 different restaurants/bakeries I want to try on it. 
• I got an A on my first English Comp class in a long time (like, since 1st semester freshman year).

Currently listening to Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. I'm kind of obsessed with Nick Adams and want to be best friends with him. 

I mean-- Hello. With that smile, talent, and body, who wouldn't want to be friends with him? (He works for his body- he was going to the gym between shows on a Saturday. That's dedication. Wanna be my trainer?) Plus, he seems to be super sweet!

Classes are going well. I'm itching to schedule for next semester so I can start applying for internships for next semester. They all want my availability and 2-3 days a week. So, I need to schedule myself around the internship because that's really important. I also have to take a full course load (18 credits) so I can make sure to graduate on time. 

Some things I feel like I need now that this semester is going well and I'm settled include some more friends and some arm candy. I have a few "classroom" friends, but I feel like I need some more friends that I can hang out at night or go to lunch or dinner with. Typically my meals are just eaten by myself in my room or out with friends that go to different schools. I've eaten in the cafeteria once- of course, my little organic salads or Amy's mac & cheese is so much better than that food. But I still have like $80 for this semester that I need to use. I've been pretty good about using my printing money, so I have to use this. If worst comes to worse, I'll just start buying like 10 bottles of water every week. That can't go bad and that's what I spent most of my money on freshman year. I just wish they had the expensive bottles of water (most people on campus drink Glaceau Smartwater-- which is my pick when I buy a bottle on my weekly Tuesday grocery shopping trips but the school only sells Aquafina water (same as my old school))-- also, it would use up more of my money! Maybe if they partnered up with local restaurants, it would work better. As for the guy- its been awhile. However, finding a guy is a bit harder than expected- of course, the getting hit on part isn't hard. That happens on like a daily basis, but not with the right guy. Now that I'm putting this out on the internet/ blogging sphere, maybe it will happen? I want a nice, wealthy, cute boy. Is that too much to ask for? ;) Maybe I need to start hanging out at the Starbucks closer to Wall Street? Will look into that for my Wednesday Caramel Skinny Macchiato. I can't make it through my Wednesdays without it; I'd die in my 8 am class. 

Off to get my clothes in my laundry bag to head off to the cleaners tomorrow. I need a bigger/ cuter laundry bag! I'm looking at this one in the brown & purple: 

They look nice and big (since I have a lot of clothes and would rather not totally stuff it!) I might have to e-mail my mom about it since it's on sale. 

~ Glitter & Boas 

Dria

PS- I was in this. Such a fun day in the rehearsal studio and in Times Square. It was also cool thing to check off of my bucket list!

Live In Living Color

Living in NYC is everything I imagined it to be. It's amazing to finally be in the city that I've dreamed about living in for years. All doubts have vanished.

I live in the St. George Dorm in Brooklyn Heights. It's an amazing area. I'm close to several subway lines, especially the 2/3 which I take every day. It's about 20 minutes to Times Square (I love living on the express line!). A few blocks over is the Brooklyn Promenade, which offers beautiful views of NYC.

                                                   The view from the Promenade on 9/11
                                                                  (photo taken by me)

A few blocks the other way offers Montague Street, where there is a Crumbs Bakeshop (my favorite cupcakes), UPS, 5 Guys, Starbucks, etc. Pretty much anything that you could really need. I do my grocery shopping up at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle-- I've cut out snacking and am trying to go to close to an all organic diet. At first it was a little bit of an adjustment, but Whole Foods has made it easy with all their yummy choices. I love Amy's frozen meals- so easy and tasty!

(photo outside of Laduree, taken by me)

I've been venturing and exploring the city as much as possible. One Saturday, I ventured up to the Upper East Side and found myself waiting in line for Laduree's macarons. I had heard of them before (thus, why I actually got in line to buy myself these little gems). I've been a fan of macarons ever since I had them at The Plaza Food Hall and then Macaron Cafe (59th between Madison & Park). The wait time wound up being around an hour and I walked out with my little purple box filled with 3 Vanilla  and 3 Caramel macarons nestled into the light green bag. I was thrilled and practically skipped down Madison Avenue (while hearing some "Oh! She waited and got Laduree!"). 

(also taken by me)

I took my delicious treats and tried my first one in Central Park-- it was delicious and worth the wait. 

What Else Have I been Doing? 

- I saw "Catch Me If You Can"'s closing night, which was the most amazing last performance I've ever been to. Aaron's last "Goodbye" earned him a standing ovation and not a dry eye in the house. It was magical. I of course miss it and have walked past the Neil Simon just to see the pictures. 

- I saw "Hair" again before it headed down to Dallas, TX. I seriously love this cast & show. I had quite a few female understudies on, and loved each and every one of them. Pairs Remillard (Claude) played with my hair during the title song, which made my goodbye even better. I always wanted my hair played with, and it didn't happen until this time. It was great to dance on stage at the St. James one last time. <3 

- I saw a new show-- "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" It wasn't my favorite show I've ever seen, but it made me smile and laugh, which is exactly what I had needed after all the tears from the first two shows. Kyle Brown was in it, and my sister became friends with him through "Legally Blonde". He was just as sweet as ever. :) I did hear a comment from the girl next to me saying if understudies go on, they should just cancel the performance. I got really upset by this & tweeted about it (which several of my friends retweeted, I'm glad they feel the same way as I do. :) ). I love understudies. I've seen plenty go on and love them. I was thrilled when I got to see Lucas Wells & Perry Sherman go on for Melchior in Spring Awakening in Pittsburgh. I went downtown after working just to see Act 2 of Perry Sherman's Henry in Next to Normal. If you don't like that-- go and exchange your ticket and leave. I'll still always support understudies and love them. 

I plan on doing rush for "Anything Goes" on Thursday since I don't have class for the Jewish Holiday. Also, I need the laughs and smiles that I'm guessing will come from a night at the theater. 

It's been a hard past week--- my grandfather passed away and I went home for a long weekend (left Thursday afternoon and then came back Sunday early evening), but it didn't seem like long enough to spend at home & with my family. I know Thanksgiving is coming up, so I'm looking forward to that. My mom and sister might come up next month, which would be awesome. I keep telling them to come up & visit me. Just spending time with them (& seeing shows and shopping of course!) would be awesome after a long week of classes. 

Au Revoir! I'm headed off to catch the subway to head to French class!

What You Want

So, the time has come. I'm changing my location on Facebook to Brooklyn Height, NY. I leave tomorrow for NYC and won't be back in the 'Burgh until Thanksgiving. My mom and dad are moving me up, and hopefully we'll have enough room in the car for their suitcases. I have 4 packed with just clothes and shoes. Oops. With that done, I'm just spending the day putting my sheets and towels into space bags and packing those away with my notebooks, pens, and pencils.

                                   A view of Manhattan from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade

I do have 2 roommates, which will be interesting. I've only ever had a single room, so it will be a new experience for me. One is from New York City (Washington Heights) and then the other is from China. It's kind of interesting that they put 3 random women together, totally different majors (English Literature, Nursing, and then something Business). We've only had a couple of emails, but come Sunday, we'll be living together for the rest of the year. It's supposed to rain for move in, so my fingers are crossed that it doesn't. I'm also seeing the closing performance of Catch Me if You Can that afternoon with the two girls that I'm getting an apartment with next year. I'm thrilled that I'll finally be able to be there for exciting things instead of being 8 hours away. I'm also going to finally experience Fashion's Night Out, the Broadway Flea Market, and just living the city in general.

I can't wait to live and work in New York City. What I Want (from Legally Blonde, of course) is finally coming true!

I Believe...

So, several months later and its happening... I'm moving here:

I took the plunge and it worked. I'm moving to New York City. I'm transferring to Pace University and could not be more thrilled to move here. I've started gathering things for my new room and hopefully will know exactly where I'm living (I'm hoping for here: http://www.studenthousing.org/residences/st-george-clark ) and who my roommate is by tomorrow. I'm slightly nervous as I've only had single rooms and never had a roommate before, but I'm sure it will work out. It has to. 

I've started cleaning out my closet, working a lot (though, I'm done after this week until I'm up in NYC! :) ), and just trying to spend as much time with my family before I leave. I'm thrilled to be making this exciting move now. 

I'm ready for you New York. Are you ready for me?

There Be Light....

Walking around New York City while in the city visiting colleges in 2009, there was down time that was spent seeing shows (duh...). Only winning two tickets to In The Heights (my sister won and took my dad), left me in search for tickets for the evening. I went over to Billy Elliot (this was before the Tony awards that year) to see if they had any tickets left for the evening. They did- $140. Um, no thanks. So, I wandered over to another theatre on the street- The Booth where Next to Normal was in previews. My one friend had seen it, so I figured I would like it. I went to the box office- $37 for partial view in the orchestra. Sounds MUCH better than the $140.

I went into the show knowing nothing besides the fact that my friend, Jackie, had seen the show before in previews. I was totally blown away by the show. I laughed, I cried, I had chills. The show was amazing. I ran out to the lobby at intermission. The only had a couple things you could buy- the poster (which I bought), pre-order the CD, and one t-shirt.

Fast forward to the summer of 2010- I hadn't seen the show for over a year, but I saw it four times, all with different casts (last weekend for Bobby Spencer, with Brian D'Arcy James, the new cast with Brian Justin Crum as Henry, and then the full new cast). I fell in love with the show again. I loved the story, every song, and every actor/actress. Of course I had to come and see the tour when it was in Pittsburgh.

There was a talkback on Wednesday night, so I convinced my sister to go with me. Pearl Sun was on for Alice and the talkback included her and all the "kids"- Curt Hanson, Emma Hunton, Preston Sadleir, Caitlin Kinnunen, and Perry Sherman. I was familiar with three of the cast members (Emma, Caitlin, and Perry) because of Spring Awakening. The talkback was informative and I was happy to see Perry again (after a year of trying to find him on campus- he went to CMU for drama). They are all super talented, but for sure the real stand out was Emma Hunton. She was the reason I went 4 times during the 8 shows it was here.

Oh, and that .5 of seeing the show?
I decided if I heard that Perry Sherman (I got to see him go on for Melchior twice while it was in Pittsburgh) was going on, I'd do everything possible to make it happen. It did.... I found out on Saturday evening for sure by Perry himself--he was going on Sunday night. I worked until close and didn't know what time we were closing--anywhere from 7 pm to 9 pm. The show was at 6:30. Lucky for me, we were slow and I was out at my car and changing in the parking lot of the mall and then downtown in the parking garage. I ran to the box office and asked to buy a ticket- anywhere. They GAVE me a ticket and get this- it was in the pit. Row CC. So, I got to see Perry go on for Henry (act 2) for free in the third row of the theater. (Pearl was also on again- so I saw Pearl 2.5 times and Alice twice... Poor thing needs to take a good year off to rest her voice). I couldn't have been happier- Birthday magic had worked out for me again (My birthday was the following Tuesday--last year it was that I could go up to Detroit for the day to see the Spring Awakening tour one last time before the end). I had gotten into the theater just as "A Light In The Dark" was finishing up. Showed them my (FREE) ticket and went to the restroom before the mad dash of women. I got to my seat and couldn't stop grinning as Perry was dragged onto the stage by Emma at the beginning of Act 2 to start "Wish I Were Here".
By the time when the screens went up in "Light" to reveal the purple lighting, I was bawling my eyes out as if it was the last performance (not like I didn't cry every other time I saw the show... I have every single time. Even when I saw it twice in 1 day--which is totally not recommended. I was emotionally drained after that and the whole week of seeing it so much). The second act of the show had been perfect. I couldn't have asked for better timing or anything (well, besides to have been there for the whole performance ;) ).

Next to Normal is continuing its tour around the country and I'm sure I'll see it again this summer (potential for Cleveland, Philly, and DC--- all of which happen in a row... :) ). To see where they're going this summer and more info- visit nexttonormal.com 

Be-In

Apparently I only use songs from Hair to title my blog posts- that will change once I'm done writing about Hair. But I'm going to try and use song titles from musicals as my titles- we'll see how long that lasts. ;)

I've been listening to Hair (the New Broadway cast recording- the one with Gavin and Will) pretty much non-stop since the week before I saw the show. I love the show and know it's not perfect. But the energy the cast puts out night after night is incredible. It's just a fun show with songs that leave you humming or singing long after you leave the theatre (or theater if you prefer that...).

The show was great. The tribe was FAB and I was lucky enough to see 2 understudies go on (Nick and Larkin- his first time for Woof!)- I have a special place in my heart for understudies from the Spring Awakening 1st National tour- knowing some of the understudies pretty well and getting a lovely amount in Pittsburgh (3 different Melchiors for an example...).

However, the audience left much to be desired.

I feel like I didn't get to fully experience this while seeing Spring Awakening (sitting on stage for the majority of the performances), CLO shows this summer (leaving a little early to run to the cast party (in heels!) to set up before the audience members who were invited arrived), and in New York City.

I sat in two different places: the balcony (there were 4 of us sitting together) and then the orchestra (by myself).

The balcony wasn't full. It was a Saturday night- a typical night that a lot of people go to the theater. However, you could tell where the $25 a ticket seats were; they were totally full. Of course, the second the lights went down, there was the shuffle of people moving to get a better view. I'm not complaining- I've done the same thing before. You want the best possible view for the show for the least amount of money. But please, wait for during the applause or intermission to do it- not when the opening notes are being sung.

Why do people get the programs before the show? Most of the people around me (both shows) immediately opened them up and folded them so they could see the list of songs. And plan their bathroom trips. The second "Where Do I Go?" was over, there wasn't as much applause as Paris (who played Claude) deserved because women were running to get in line for the bathroom. Really ladies? Can we not control our bladders for 2 hours? Go after the show! The intermission isn't only there so you can use the restroom.

I enjoy going alone so I can listen to other people and how they like the show. At the Sunday matinee, I was seated by 3 older women and 2 gay guys on the other side. The two guys LOVED the show and were talking about Nick as Berger. The ladies were talking about playing the record and that they must have added some songs from the record they used to play. During "Where Do I Go?" one exclaimed "Oh! They are naked!"-- thanks lady for pointing that out to me. I couldn't tell. I thought they might leave at intermission, but they didn't. I did notice a decent amount of people that left during intermission or during Claude's trip. It's not a show for everyone. I know my mother wouldn't enjoy it. But, a lot of ticket sales are to subscribers who are people who don't know what they are seeing until they get to the theatre and the show starts. While waiting in line for the parking garage, I heard some other people's views. I heard a couple "I liked the music" or "The lighting was good." One that made me laugh was: "I wonder if that's all their real hair or if they all wear wigs." (Larkin was asked this at the stage door when I saw the show in NYC this past summer).

Dear audience members,
Just because you know the lyrics to a song doesn't mean you should sing along. I'm talking to you sir and your clapping along wife. I came and paid to hear the actors and actresses sing. This is their job and quite obviously not yours, judging by your voice.
Love,
Me.

This happened. During "Let The Sun Shine In" part of "The Flesh Failures/ Eyes Look Your Last/ Let the Sun Shine In" on Sunday afternoon. Those who have seen the show know this an emotional part of the show- those who haven't, I won't ruin it for you. This man and wife knew the song. So, she was clapping along (at a slightly faster rate- more for the one for the curtain call) and her husband was singing along LOUDLY. I was a couple of rows back and over from them and could hear him clearly. Without a microphone. That's not right. It really bugged me since I was sitting there extremely emotional, crying (as I have every time I've seen the show) and he and his wife ruined the moment.

If you want to sing along, BUY the CD, put it in at home or in your car, and sing along there. That's what I do. Please respect your fellow theatre goers.

Of course the show got a standing ovation each time I saw it-- but come to think of it, I've never seen a show in Pittsburgh that hasn't gotten one. Even if it wasn't that great. It's what people come to expect. You get up and clap at the end of the show- no matter if you loved it or not. Of course, there are those who are rushing out of the theatre to go sit in the parking garage. Attempting to beat it never works- so I'm always one of the last out of the theatre (unless I'm in NYC or going to the stage door). Did this show deserve it, yes. 100%. I moved past the ladies sitting beside me (much to their annoyance even though they were already standing up) to run up on stage and dance with the tribe. It's such a unique experience and you have to do it if you see the show. Standing up there dancing and singing "Let The Sun Shine In" with all my heart and soul is an amazing experience that I will never forget. I love it and will totally do it again when I see the show again.

So, if the Hair tour happens to come through your town- go and see it (check out where they're going here! ). Hopefully the audience is better than the one in Pittsburgh- no one singing or clapping at inappropriate times.

Love to all,
Dria

I Got Life

It's amazing how much can change in one month. Of course, a perfect life can only go on for so long before coming to a halt. Or crashing into a brick wall. The former happened to me.

It all started with a funny feeling when drinking water before a literature class. Something didn't feel right. Once back to my room, this was confirmed. My tonsils were swollen and red. Not a great sign. A night spent on WebMD instead of doing the 20 page reading for my Ethics class left me with a self-diagnosis of tonsillitis (which is really gross looking). A trip to the doctors left me with drugs to take and weekend spent laying on the couch--not eating or drinking. Not really doing much besides watching the marathon of Million Dollar Listing on Bravo- a show I have now added to my DVR's recorder. A return trip to the doctor's office wound me up on steriods to decrease the swelling in my tonsils and a round of blood tests. A couple of days later brought not great news: I had mono.

Mono immediately brings up ideas: sleeping all the time, exhaustion, etc. I wasn't exhausted at all- my sleeping schedule was normal. The only thing wrong with me was my inflamed tonsils. How did I even get it in the first place? It's known as the kissing disease, however my boyfriend wasn't sick at all. It was just me who laid on the couch for the week. It was seriously the worst sickness I've ever had in my life. It was awful. Worse than the week I spent on the couch recovering from having my wisdom teeth taken out. Any pluses? I didn't eat for almost 5 days- I got nice and skinny (I read somewhere that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels- this is so true). However, since I can't exercise fully for several months and my mom brought home cupcakes from Blue Frost Cupcakes in Columbus (which are AMAZING), the weight I lost was gained back. But- not a pound more.

Then- first week back at school and classes. I go out with my boyfriend to some weird Indian restaurant. There was no one in there. Should have been a clue to me that my night would end up not great. We were the only people in the restaurant for a good while and getting any service was hard. I work in a restaurant; this wouldn't have worked out. I brought up the subject of when to see Hair while it was here in Pittsburgh. And those words came out of his mouth "We need to talk." Every girl knows that these words mean doom for any relationship. Sure enough, they did for mine. My boyfriend broke up with me right before Valentine's Day, our 3 months, and for reasons that I still don't even understand.

He came over today and we talked for over an hour. Things were pretty much the same besides the fact he didn't kiss me when he left. So, where do we stand? That weird place between dating and friends... headed towards friends in his eyes, I'm sure. Everything was great between us- why did this have to happen?

So, needless to say- I didn't take him to see Hair with me. He told me that he would, but I didn't give him a call to come with me. Musicals are special to me. I don't ask just anyone to see a show with me. You have to be special and important in my life. I have no problems seeing a show by myself if I can't find the right person to go with me. But luckily, my friend was in from St. Louis, so we saw the Saturday evening show together. And then I saw it again by myself (with Larkin Bogan making his debut as Wolf! Blog about the show and Pittsburgh audiences to come later) on Sunday afternoon. It was the most fun I had in a long time. The show was perfect. As the lights dimmed before the curtain call, I brushed away tears. After the bows, I ran up to the stage to dance with the cast and others who enjoyed the show. Standing on the stage of Heinz Hall brought back a lot of memories (one of my best friends and I spent quite a lot of time onstage while Spring Awakening was here almost two years ago and also of this summer when I saw the show on Broadway). Singing, dancing, loving. Life was perfect for that moment.

Of course, real life comes back into play. I couldn't go see the show again that evening because I had 80 pages of Pamela to read and an essay on a 18th Century British poem due the next day. I head back to work next weekend after a month off, which has felt awesome. I'm making plans to see Next to Normal while it's here with my show buddy (who saw Spring Awakening with me many, many times) and possibly road trippin' it out to Hershey to see the Tribe again.

After the crash, you need to get things fixed and return to normal life. Things are slowly falling back into place. Time heals everything. Life is never easy and there are always bumps in the road. Some lead to crashes and some just bounce you out of your seat. Hopefully I'll be on the smooth road for a little bit now.

I've got life. I'm going to let the sunshine in. I'm not going to let them end this beauty.

~Dria

Good Morning, Starshine

An introduction blog post- what to say? what to write? who will read it?

I guess those questions will all be answered in time...

I should probably start off with a bit about myself. Cliche, of course I already know that.

I'm a 19 year old (20 in a couple of months. Saying that just makes me feel like I'm 10 years old again and have a count down to my birthday. I don't. I promise!) college student in Pittsburgh, PA. I have dreams of the big city (The Big Apple, of course!) though and hope to move there sooner than later. I'm a total theatre nerd (as indicated by my title of the blog post and reference to the musical American Idiot in the title). However, no I'm not a theatre major. I wish that I could sing, dance, and act that well. Sadly, I can't so I just appreciate it by going to shows in New York City (after spending 64 hours on the Megabus this summer with one of my best/awesome/crazy friend, I have a new appreciation of bus traveling and can sleep almost anywhere) or even just here in Pittsburgh. I've gone on some crazy road trips to various cities across the country (well, mainly East Coast) for certain shows (some examples include Hershey, PA last year after a snow storm hit Pittsburgh, leaving high school half way through the day to go up to Cleveland for a master class in singing and the show, etc.).

Let's see, what else can I say? I'm addicted to shopping & fashion- I don't think I could go two months without buying something new. Of course, my newly slimmer body requires me to buy new clothes that fit (thank you wisdom teeth surgery, trips to NYC filled with walking countless blocks, and working as a hostess where I'm almost always walking or moving), so I'm not complaining.

Life is really great for me right now. I'm thinner than ever while rocking my new designer jeggings (my new favorite pair of jeans! Seriously perfect for tucking into Hunters or Uggs in this gross weather here in Pittsburgh), the times that I have my classes are great--allowing me to sleep in several days a week and have others where I'm done before 1 pm, Gossip Girl (my favorite show) is back on TV after a break that was way too long, and I have an amazing boyfriend (who I am planning on taking to Hair next month while it's here in Pittsburgh, another reason for the title of this post).

So, what to expect from this blog?
- Theatre reviews (I'll see anything!)
- Clothing reviews/ my purchases
- Random musings of my life
- And anything else my readers may want to hear!

In keeping with the HAIR theme:

Peace, <3, and happiness