Broadway Kicks Ass

First times are a major high. Doing something, seeing someone, being somewhere for the very first time, will make you feel goosebumps, no matter your age, style, gender, or whatever.

Yesterday, was my first time at Broadway. I don't think I have the words to describe all that I felt. People gave me heads up, told me it was going to be great. But I really, don't think great comes anywhere near that.

The play I chose to see last night, was Spider-Man. Its the first sci-fi play on Broadway. It is a huge production, full of technological stunts, and young actors ( really young). I confess I got myself mistaken with a 8 yr old as I let the word WOW slip away from my mouth  various amount of times.

I won't say much about the actual plot (since everybody knows it), but seeing spiderman flying around, seeing the scenario change and lift all the time.. man, it was something beyond this world.
I couldn't believe I spent my entire life without ever living throughout such an experience. Everyone should see a Broadway production, sometime in their lives. What a treat. Really.

I am officially hooked on Broadway. My new ( and must say expensive vice).

Never seizes to amaze me

Once again I found inspiration in the NY streets. Walking down the same streets on my way to NYU, for some reason I decided to look another way, and suddenly saw something that I've never even noticed in my past weeks here: This all artsy and put together pole, just beautiful.

And before crossing the streets, I felt something that only NY could give me: renewal, excitement, the feeling  that in this city I will never stop to be amazed. As I thought that I had a routine, a schedule down here, this moment just showed me the opposite. This moment just showed why NY is so special. And what I saw, was exactly a summary of my sightseeing day in the city.

After class, all of us went to Max Brenner ( this incredible place) and once again I've been amazed by NY's charm. The possibility of having fondue with smores not only is delicious but refreshing.

NYC will never seize to amaze me. At least that's my thought at this moment.

Vontade

This one goes out to Martina, who introduced me to tomato soup. Delicious and my new thing here in NY.

Here goes the recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
• 18 fresh basil leaves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, bring the tomatoes and broth to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add basil and sugar. Reduce heat to low; stir in cream and butter. Cook until butter is melted.

Freezin'

I'm too cold to think. Too cold to write. Too cold to even move. The weather forecast said it would be windy, but no idea it could wind this much. Yesterday was such a teaser I can't believe it. The truth is, even prepared for the cold, I don't think our bodies are prepared to handle this much torture. Yes, I will call it torture.

I'm at home, and still wearing a hat, scarf and a fluffy jacket. Thank god for blankets and heaters (even though ours doesn't work). 

As a good friend said to me right now via Skype, I'm looking like a Machu Picchu correspondent freezing my ass off haha.

As we slowly warm up, by eating chocolate that Pi brought, I remember us out in Soho, cold as hell, laughing of each other and at this situation. This is worth it. All of it.

Lit Lounge

Just a glimpse of last night..

Lunch Delight

With Pituka here, it's like we are on vacations. We just had an incredible day.
Will not write much, but will share our amazing lunch/dinner.

All I can say right now is : DELICIA

What NY has to offer

Heading home from NYU, I realized in a 5 minute walk how this day changed my life for the rest of my life. Want me to explain how? I will highlight the three most important things that happened to me today, and if still interested, read furthermore for details. (This is going to take a while) 

1.) I overheard a typical and very characteristic talk by two NY men.

2.) A sobbing moment at the Grand Central Station, after a job offering.

3.) Thanks to my father,  I had the opportunity to register to a music marketing class and have class with the Chief Information Officer from Billboard. 

Interested? Let's continue..

As I was waiting for my interview at Carat's building, (for more info of what Carat is: http://carat.com/carat/index.jsp ) I had the opportunity to overhear a business talk within two men. Well-dressed, elegant in fancy suits, these men were giving me a 101 of how Trump makes a business. In less than 10 minute talk I think I heard the phrase: " It's not personal, it's just business" quite a few times. These men were ruthless, and bragging about their achievements, and gossiping about who left what company, and why some guy hated him because he was his boss in another company, some time ago. 

As they continued on rambling, I sought out to my own thoughts: these guys are representing to me the other side of NY that I still haven't seen. The part where ambition was Julia Roberts word for this city on Eat, Pray and Love movie. 

Some time after that, Human Resources called me in for my interview. I will not hold you up by telling everything that was said in this interview but I will tell you this: I know now why America works. I know now why Americans are so good at business and entertainment. As I talked about my goals and what I wanted to pursue, I realized their astonishment with my English, and how their minds were changing about international students/workers. 

My interview ended with the company telling me that this was NY, the capital of the world and they could offer me whatever I wanted. They could offer me the learning experience, the whole view of how a business comes to work. They could offer me what I wanted so I could achieve my goals. They valued my interest and in return, would offer me a full time job in NYC.

Blown of out of my mind, I caught myself in the middle of Grand Central Station crying for the achievement made this morning while calling my loved ones. Alone, I looked around and seized the moment, because this was all me. 

Moving on to the third and final point of this post today, I had the amazing opportunity to take a class in which I literally wanted to leave the room as I skimmed around the syllabus. Music Marketing 1. When the teacher told me her name, I freaked out. She, who I would come to know in a couple of weeks as a guest speaker of my other class is now my full time teacher, the CIO of Billboard the one who knows everything there is to know about the music biz is here in front of me. Strict, harsh, I suddenly realized this class would not be an easy one. Two assignments already due, a log to keep and a term subject outline to hand in next class started to freak me out. What could I offer Susan? She knows it all. I suddenly I fell in love with NYU for the second time this week. NY is offering me this class. This could only happen here. 

I want to make a proposal to you: I have a term project assignment in which I have to choose a band and evaluate the marketing and promotion efforts behind their latest release. Immediately, I thought about Avioes do Forro and their phenomenon in Brazil but I would like to ask you, for ideas. Key questions that I have to answer are about sales, how did they use diverse channels to advertise and estimate how much was spent promoting this artist.

In return, I have to offer YOU something right? So here goes some of the things we discussed in class and that are cool for you to surf Google and to take a look:

- Listen to Grammy's new artist winner Esperanza Spalding

- Surf Kickstarter.com and see what this new website is doing

-Watch Eminem's Chrysler commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKL254Y_jtc

-Listen and watch the OK Go viral videos, reference world wide http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

Am I offering enough?

314 East 6th Street

I dont' think it's a coincidence that I decided to start off this blog in English. I really don't. At first, it seemed obvious to me, but now, thinking about it carefully, it all makes sense. How can I start to describe this city's vibe in portuguese? I could try, but I knew it will be a long shot.

In class today, I had to write my NY address. Writing 314 East 6th Street is something I've done more than 10 thousand times. But today, as I wrote it down in paper, I thought man, this is really home to now. As I was writing the address, I thought about how I have a place on our table, how the apt dynamic is coming to be, how I missed Li for so long and how I  am now calling the apt my house.

As I walk down the streets to my apartment ( which I share with Ariela-), I look around and finally feel that the city is talking to me back. Warming up to me, as I slowly, recognize the streets, signs, stores..

Ariela couldn't chosen any other place for us to live. The East Village is something else. I walk in our neighborhood and see the people, the "feirinhas", the Indian food places, the many and overwhelming tattoo shops and think: Man oh Man, this is the shit. This is the place in NY that best describes who I am at this moment: young, explorer, open.

As I head back from school, I get myself without my gloves, feeling extremely well and dare to say almost hot, and suddenly look to the STOMP sign near home and think: I truly identify.

This is me embracing NYC, making this my home.

Beyond Digital

Washington Square. NYU Campus. Silver Building. Class 402. That was my destination. For 30 minutes I observed:the locker rooms, the elevators, the people who were waiting outside the door, the students.

As I saw the teacher unlocking the door, I have to say, I got excited. What does this teacher  who has a "Woody-Allen-meets-Stuart-Little" look has to say. How will the class begin?  Questions didn't stop there. Who are my fellow classmates? Are they old? young? Hip? As I walked in to the classroom I came across a very interesting scene: black floors, gray walls. NYU has a very dark class environment? It seems so. I felt self conscious. Was I out of shape school wise?

The classroom suddenly grew on me. 15 of us, all looking around, playing around with our cells ( I must note, I was the only one w/o an Iphone).  And as I started getting used to the atmosphere, a QUIZ began. What? On the first day of class? Yes. and what a Quiz, what a dynamic.

Ira Mayer was his name. The one who began his class with a quiz. Who had a quite dramatic entrance. and as soon as I started answering those questions I knew I was in the right place.

After a couple of hours of class, I left the room in awe! I had a great time, and can't wait to get to my class assignments.

He left us with a question, and which I'll leave to you too:
What if there's something beyond digital, that will make digital look analogic?

Romantic City

Vanity. Lust. Love. It's Valentine's Day.

Taking the first bite

Since I just arrived in NY to start off a new chapter and adventure in my life, I decided that this blog should be in English.Well, I could write some of the posts in Portuguese, but let's begin with an English one for now.

I only just arrived but I already made a discovery about myself: i am undecided person.  I cannot decide where to go, what to eat, whether I should wash or not my hair, and which subway line is best. I think something bit me, and I wish that in a couple of days, the venom will leave. But I do have one thing that I'm sure of: I am fucking happy that I decided to come.

For those who never studied abroad, here's some gold for you: whether you're alone or with friends, it'll be tough. You can try to hide it with beers and touristic sites, but  leaving your comfortable life behind to explore the unknown can make you shit your pants.

When you move further away from this phase, which I dare to believe is where I stand right now, thrills and goosebumps are the ones that prevail. This is all I feel- even in my sleep. I think I should be less dramatic, once washing the dishes and cleaning the apt isn't a thrill at all..

If you read this far, and is wondering, why and what the fuck is she writing about, here's a msg for you:
I will not give NY best tips ( since I'll be learning where to go and what to do from scratch- and posting my thoughts here)
I will not write as if I were a cry baby
I will not reveal my inner most secrets.

I will just register what goes on during my stay in the Big Apple.
If you wish to stay, then just please, take a bite.