Final Week

One more week of classes before I head home and this blog officially relocates to Scotland for a little while. So with finals happening, there’s not as much time to go running about the streets. However, today there was a Santa Convention in Manhattan, meaning the streets were flooded with men dressed as St. Nick while they tried to shove their way into the subway.

On another note, “The King’s Speech” is in selected cinemas. Jason and myself saw it at the Chelsea and it was, quite frankly, outstanding. An actor’s dream, especially actors studying how to talk properly. Oscar bells are ringing for Firth, who is incredible in this piece. Go and see it, it’s two hours worth your while–especially if you’re from the UK.

One more week!! Yay…:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiypbCFV7Ao

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and the Catholic church still hates me

This city takes the art of Christmas decorating to a whole new level.

While walking down Sixth Avenue during the evening–any evening–it’s impossible to miss the many decorations that have been put up all over. Every building, every office and every restaurant has gone all out with lights and trees. Candles, elves and chocolate are put on display and the crowds are frightening. After an hour of repeating “excuse me, excuse me–sir, please move!” you get a little testy. Then it’s time to employ the elbow. Check that the person is not disabled or elderly and then jab with everything you have.

On a more positive note, my photography skills have improved greatly. I’m very pleased with this one of the Rockefeller tree. By the by, this is a must see in Manhattan. Yes, there will be an incredibly big crowd there but it’s still worth it. It’s certainly the biggest tree I’ve ever seen–bigger than the one in Jenners….That’s a little Brit reference, by the way.

We also wandered into St. Patrick’s cathedral which is also an amazing sight. It, too, was filled with people but in a nice way…and there were certainly enough seats for everyone. The only thing is, when we had to dab Holy Water on our foreheads, the bowl gave me a static shock. Yet another example of why I am a heathen child who should not set foot on holy ground…I’ll have to be buried at sea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FxEVFNicPU&feature=related

Let It Snow…no, really…

It’s just over two weeks until I go home!

That is as long as Edinburgh airport don’t flip out and cancel flights because of the INSANE SNOW! Yes, where I come from, snow has fallen and decided to stay. This is rather typical because I love snow so very much but I haven’t had any really good snow in a while; it’s waited until I’ve moved to a different continent before blessing Scotland with its fluffy, white presence.

This is so disgustingly unfair. It may very well be slush by the time I get home; in fact, that would be my luck. So let’s all cross our fingers and pray that the snow stays or that it graces New York soon. I understand some people hate snow (non-believers!) but it really isn’t Christmas without it. Another reason I want snow is because the Floridians in my class have never seen it and they’re counting on New York to give them their first experience of it. So whoever is in charge of snow, go and send some this way…kind regards, Ellen….

P.S: I am an annoying fan of Christmas, so here is the first vid in the countdown to the big day. There will be one with every blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMvl0UTY3ho

Miracle on 34th Street….as well as 41st

The parade…was incredible.

I was expecting to have a good time but not for it to be so amazing. I’m not a massive fan of crowds all staring like sheep at boring things, but this was not boring–not by any standards. Of course, it was difficult to find a good spot to stand in so as to get a good view. So Jason and I climbed the scaffolding…and got a great view.

We really did; we could see everything from where we were and it was sensational. This was my first Thanksgiving and my very first parade so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect as I grudgingly let myself be marched from the New Yorker to 41st between seventh and sixth to watch it come through Bryant Park. I’m so glad I was woken up at an unreasonable hour and made to go because it was well worth it, especially to see it all live and up close.

I couldn’t believe the size of the balloons and the floats; they were bigger than anything I’ve ever seen before and it was fascinating to witness them in all their glory as they made their way down Sixth. I felt no shame in being as excited as the kids in the audience.

The Scottish part of me was overjoyed to see Shrek as one of the many large character balloons, his friends including Hello Kitty, Ronald McDonald, Horton, Spongebob, Buzz Lightyear and Kung Fu Panda. It was quite a thing to behold. Each one was a surprise as it came around the corner.

The floats were just as incredible as the balloons, as well as the many cheerleading squads and brass bands. Baton twirling has never looked so impressive. Yes, it was cold but, with hot dogs being handed out and everyone buzzing with excitement, that was easy to overlook…if you were dressed properly. 

Cold or not, it was a crisp and clear day for it with not a single drop of rain. The cold made it feel more like Christmas. Though, of course, I’m not a native–I still found myself being quite swept up in the whole thing and feeling really overwhelmed by the holiday spirit of the entire spectacle.

I took 120 photos, which is more than I’ve ever taken before–for anything! So these are only a taster of what we saw. The rest are proudly on facebook. All I can say, though most people probably already know, it was an amazing day and the icing on top was most certainly Santa officially arriving in New York city with his entourage of elves and deer.

So Santa can now be found in Macy’s where you can tell him what you want him to bring you for Christmas. The whole thing was really preparation for him to arrive and bring the beginning of Christmas with him. And he did. Quite brilliantly. To anyone going in the future, the scaffolding really are the best seats. Though, if you’re rich or important, you can pull strings and get into one of the buildings overlooking the parade where you will be provided with food and drink…tossers.

The roads were closed to cars, giving New Yorkers the run of Midtown Manhattan and, as Jason pointed out and now demonstrates in this photo, it felt as though they were all following me. However, getting into our building has never been so difficult. We had to keep insisting we live there so we need to get through…no, really, we do!

So…Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope you had as wonderful a day as I did. Not long until the lights and the tree go up.

And, because it’s fitting….I believe!!! xxxx

Books and Unreasonable Paranoia

Illness has hit the city.

Posters advertising flu shots are up in all the pharmacies and the New Yorker smells of sick people. Just wandering down one of the halls of the New Yorker allows you to witness people wearing pyjama like clothes just walking around aimlessly, looking a tad pale and lost. You may feel the urge to take them gently by the elbow and ask them where they’re trying to get to. They will, of course, tell you they’re searching for the kitchen in order to warm up some soup.

Having warily watched these lurkers for a week, it saddens me to say I am now one of them.

The splitting headache, the shakes, the fever, the coughing and the general feeling of death warmed up has found me–as it has many other students. Of course, there are always those people claiming perfect health. Well, most of these smug people will be getting on a plane Wednesday night in order to go home for Thanksgiving. I guarantee, snotty people (no pun intended) that there will be sick people on your flight and that their germs will find you. You were warned.

Layers and liquids are the solution as always, unless you’re able to get your hands on some medicine. This might be a good idea, otherwise you might have an ordeal like mine. On Friday night, the aches, shaking and general nastiness became a little bit scary–resulting in a sleepless night. For a good two hours, I sat pressed against the wall holding my keys convinced someone was hiding in my bathroom, waiting for me to fall asleep.

Luckily, that was an isolated incident and I only have a cough now. But you know you’ve been in Manhattan too long when you forget what fresh air feels like. No point opening a window, you’ll only let the nasty pigeons in.

On a different note, Barnes and Noble are doing a book drive for the children’s hospital. This is a great way to clear out any excess books you may own. I myself managed to part with plenty of mine. They’re also taking donations for the hospital. So if you have any books you no longer need, read or use as furniture then take them down to your nearest Barnes and Noble to donate them. It’s a great cause as it must be completely boring and miserable to be stuck in hospital over the holidays.

So to those who are ill, get well soon and I hope you’re as lucky as I am; you know you have a true friend when they go all the way to Hudson to get Lucozade from the only shop in NY that sells it.

Thanksgiving soon! Gobble gobble.

Going Back to Hogwarts

Well, it’s finally here. It’s long overdue, but the first part of the seventh Harry Potter film has been released. It seemed like the whole city was dressing up and preparing themselves for the event, lightning scars and pointy hats visible everywhere. The premier was held at the Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center area, just off Columbus Circle. Darren Criss was there (which will mean more to some people than others) as well as Emma Watson’s interesting new choice of hairstyle.

I’ve never waited in line for something like this before. The queue for the midnight showing was unbelievable, but I just kept telling myself how lucky we were to get tickets. The waiting was, of course, worth it and the film was spectacular. Mind you, I am an obsessive Harry Potter fan so I give it unconditional love anyway. The film also features some beautiful Scottish scenery as well as some of the finest actors Britain has to offer so it felt like being home for a brief time. It’s now released all over the world and I’m sure I don’t need to advise people to see it.

Talk soon.

Finite!

Achilles, sit!

So it was a week of famous people this week.

 Kevin Kline kindly took time out of his life to come and visit the AADA acting students and share some words of wisdom. For anyone not sure of who he is, he’s done a number of films and theatre productions–including “Sophie’s Choice” and “A Fish Called Wanda”. And, more memorably, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. I can safely say I watched and watched that film over and over again as a child. So that’s all I could really think when meeting him–this is the voice of Phoebus. He had incredible things to say and was overall a very charming, charismatic and friendly man with a good sense of humour and a warm nature. He really was a very nice and grounded person so everyone look out for his next film, which he’s just wrapped.

Anyone who was in Columbus Circle this week may also have seen Ben Stiller as he is filming for his new project which is called, according to one of the crew members, “Tower Heist”.

And finally, I attended a performance of “Driving Miss Daisy” on Broadway. Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones both gave stunning and very moving portrayals, but the latter was the true star of the play. He was adorable, grounded and moving from his first appearance on the stage.

So…..I’ve had my share of well-known faces for some time I think. Thought Harry Potter is on the agenda for tomorrow.

Now, feel free to enjoy–below is a link to Kevin Kline’s work. The one I first saw, anyway…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HQUlyn38UI

Homesickness

 This probably isn’t too relevant if you’re looking for a good place to eat or a decent book or film to see. I probably shouldn’t even be writing this but I don’t care.

All those who fought and died in war were remembered on the eleventh this month. And my Grandfather died after a long struggle with illness. For the first time, I don’t want to be in New York. I want to go home. I need to go home. Nothing seems quite real here at the moment, knowing that something awful has happened in Scotland. The shock of it makes me hurt all over; even in my eyelashes, which is a novelty.

On my other point, seeing the procession of men in their uniforms as they marched up fifth avenue–not for the causes of their war but for the lost lives of their comrades was a very moving and disturbing sight.

So on both notes I will say that words seem somewhat redundant. I’ve spent the last two months being able to express every tiny thought during class, breaking down all barriers and vocalising every feeling. Now I don’t know what to say.

I provide these two pieces of text that explain somewhat better but I will say this. A life ending does not finish their existence. Things are left behind to be remembered and to be used as an echo of them. As long as one person remembers, nothing is ever forgotten. And the ones we have loved can never truly leave us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN-NIHbfJ1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJnjcX8skXk

Favourite and 2 Bros

I can’t believe I’ve not mentioned these places before. I mean, I have known about them since my arrival.

For those living in the New Yorker residence, the Favourite cafe on 35th between 8th and 7thavenue is a place where you can get just about any type of student food. There’s pizza, pasta, salad, soup etc as well as drinks and a calm and relaxed area to eat, read and study in. The staff are actually very friendly and helpful; a rarity in Manhattan, wouldn’t you say? Plus, the food is very decent witha vast selection of healthy options to compete with the less nutritious options.

And then there is, in my and many others opinion, the jewel of eighth avenue. 2 Bros. It’s not the only place where you can get one slice of pizza for a dollar, but it is certainly one of the best. Generous slices of the most delicious Italian pizza fo one one buck is a Godsend in New York and I’ve yet to find better than 2 Bros. If, for some weird reason, you have not tried it–do so. At once. It’s the best, especially at three in the morning or whenever you’re heading home. They stay open late and serve quickly and consistently. They never run out.

Bon appetit.

Swans, Art and yet more cheesecake.

The past couple of days have been extremely eventful here in the New Yorker.

The discovery of The Brazil Grill, for one. This restaurant is located on 48th street between ninth and Eighth Avenue, so in the Theatre District. It’s a very relaxed and calming place, with live music. The singer was very good, creating a tranquil atmosphere with her beautiful singing and playing. However, a word of advice to students: if the person you are with orders the all-you-can-eat option, the waiter will give you both a look and then say (without subtlety) “you are not allowed to share this option”. So they’re onto us. You have to be sneaky.

A very good restaurant, though. So that was Wednesday night. Another thing I did on Wednesday was attend the opening of  Catriona Herd’s latest exhibition. If anyone wishes to see it, and I suggest that you do, it is being held in St. Frances’ College on Remsen street. Just take the 2 or the 3 from Manhattan and get off at Borough Hall. The paintings are beautiful, especially the ones of Scotland: http://www.catrionaherd.com/index.php/Figure-Painting.html

Okay…*inhales*…So. On Thursday night, we went to see Matthew Bourne’srendition of Swan Lake, probably memorable because the swans are played by men rather than women in tiaras. I can safely say I will remember that performance for the rest of my life. From the minute the curtain went up to reveal the prince tossing and turning while dreaming of swans to the company bows, the entire performance was incredible. I had heard great things about this production but I’ve never considered myself a ballet fan. This production may well have spoiled normal ballets for me, as it was unimaginably good. Well done, Mr Bourne.

And finally, if anyone in the New Yorker is searching for a piece of superior cheesecake, look no further than the Tick Tock diner. Though you can travel as far as Brooklyn, Hudson or Queens in search of creamy goodness–just as good can be found on the ground floor.

Until next time…