My blog

Label... Category... Standard Entry Video Information Press Release Event News

• A great start to Chinese New Year!

  Friday, Feb 8, 2008 9:47PM / Standard Entry

  First, I'd like to say "Gong Hei Fat Choi" to everyone!!!  It has definitely been a very strange start to the Chinese New Year.  I had a great lunch with a friend from Hong Kong, Mary Shen.....and she brought along 4 friends who were all very interesting people.  We had a great lunch AND I got lucky money!!!  I didn't expect to get lucky money this year because I am in NY.  But.....it was nice to get some!  hahaha.....
  
  So, last night, I went to watch the show "Curtains".  It's a really nice and fun show!  The story was kind of similar to Phantom of the Opera where there were times when the cast was in their real life...and sometimes when they were performing in a musical.  And then it was more like a murder mystery comedy.  The star of the show was David Hyde Pierce.  The guy from "Fraiser".  It was all and all a great cast!  The songs are written by John Kander and Fred Ebb....the same guys who wrote Chicago!  I was watching about 20 min of it when I thought someone on the stage looked really familiar.  His posture was just like my friend Ward from AMDA (where I studied musical theatre in NY).  I couldn't wait to find out....so, I pulled out my playbill and with the little light that I had, and found his name in the "Who's Who" section.  I could not believe it!!!!  I was trying to contact him before I came to NY..but, never heard from him because he doesn't check his email very often.  And the last time I saw him, he was in "Fiddler on the Roof".  I was soooo proud of him...and watched him the entire time!  Ward was my friend and partner in school.  We had to sing "Sun and Moon" from Miss Saigon together...so...I always used to call him my Chris...and he'd call me his Kim!  hahaha.....So, I decide to write him a note and go to the backstage door at the intermission....and I see all these backstage crew people out there....then, I randomly ask one of them if they'd kindly give the letter to my friend...and when I told him it was Ward...they just let me in!  I go backstage....and there  he is on the stage stretching....the man says "Ward there is someone here to see you"...and as I'm approaching him....he says "who is that?"....because it's really dark...and suddenly there is a light of recognition and he screams "Marsha!!!"  and it was the happiest reunion ever!  After the show, we went to get a bite to eat and catch up...it was the greatest end to an evening!
  
  
  
  
  

  7 comments–  Add a comment

• strange things happen for a reason

  Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 9:43PM / Standard Entry

  The strangest thing happened to me last night.  I am upstate NY now....visiting my cousin, Jeff and his family.  It is a beautiful little town and their house is the cutest most perfect little place to raise 2 beautiful kids.  I am now in the process of deciding what to do for my audition on Monday for this Indian play.  What I have to do, is come up with a 5 min improv  choosing 1 of the sides that they provided for me...using anything from  dance, singing, acting...or anything that I want...it's an exciting audition...and I was thinking of what new elements I could put into my 5 min that would make me more unique.  Then I thought of it....I could use some rhythmic gymnastics!  I was competing nationally in Rhythmic Gymnastics when I was at the age of 10 to 15.  I quit because I fractured my lower back and then when I tried to go back doing it again....I sprained it! Well....the equipment in Rhythmic Gymnastics consists of the ball, hoop, clubs, rope, and ribbon.  I decided that it would be very unique to add some ribbon into my 5 min.  So...I was set on trying to find out where I could buy a ribbon in the city....I was searching online for about an hr, when I came across a listing for "Extreme Rhythmic Academy" which is located in the Upper West Side.  I decided to call them to see if they even sold rhythmic equipment or not.  So....I called and this lady was very nice. She said that they didn't sell ribbons but she was very wiling to let me borrow one...Then, we started to get talking and I told her that I hadn't actually touched a ribbon for years now.  And she asked me which team I used to be on...and when I told her LASG...she told me that she was too!!!  And then, I asked her what her name was..and she said Cheryl Cox.  And when I heard that I was like "oh my Gosh!!!  Cheryl!  Do you remember me!!!!  It's Marsha!!!!  "  It was the weirdest thing ever!  I'm still kind of spooked out about it.  Out of all of the people to answer the phone...it was her!  Out of all of the places that I'd call...it was HER own gym that she opened!!!  AND...if she hadn't asked me where I was from...I could have talked to her and not even realized that it was her!  I think there is a very good reason why we suddenly got in touch with each other...maybe I will help her out at her gym...I was thinking that once I moved back to the city I'd have to find a regular job in order to afford it out here...and that would be a great job!!! And...she mentioned that she was looking for a roommate!!!  isn't that crazy! Well...I just thought that this experience was so strange....well, I'm going to see her tomorrow...she is going to let me borrow a ribbon for my audition....and we are going to try to catch up sometime while I'm here too......
  
  

  5 comments–  Add a comment

• New York adventures

  Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 12:16AM / Standard Entry

  So, I'm having a great time here.  I've watched 2 shows so far.  "Spring Awakening" and "Ave Q".  I loved both shows!  The music in "Spring Awakening" was great!  They had this sort of alternative style and some of the songs reminded me a bit of Green Day.  The actors were all really good except that the lead guy had spit flying everywhere....it was literally raining and I was sitting in the 18th row!!!  I feel bad for the first row and the leading lady who had to allow the spit to continue flying onto her face without blinking.  poor girl!  I wonder if he knows that he has this problem?  "Ave Q" was very entertaining.  It made me smile throughout the entire show because the puppets were so cute when they moved.  And the actors did such a great job with their voices and movements...it was amazing.  There were a few characters that I got annoyed with...including the Asian girl and the girl who played Gary Coleman.  But, other than that...a very entertaining and non thinker.  I give both a 2 thumbs up!!!
  
  On Sat, I went up to New Haven and visited a friend who is finishing his MBA at Yale.  Very smart guy...and we have been friends since High School.  It was great to see him again and we had good quality time together...PLUS, we played pick up volleyball..and it was SOOOO much fun!   I haven't played in so long!!!  We ate at his dining hall, visited the local museum, and hung out with his friends.  It was really the first time that we actually talked so much..but, it was nice.  It just goes to show that we have matured over the years...and it's nice to know that we have kept in touch all these years.....him and his family are like my second family.....
  
  Sunday was the closing of my friends restaurant called Palacinko's It's really sad...that's where they shot "My Blueberry Night" with Norah Jones, Judd Law, and Natalie Portman.  The restaurant has been open for 10 yrs!  But, because the landlord is going to raise the rent 3 times! He decided to close it down.  It's a really cute little place and they use mostly organic food..though they don't advertise this.  And they do mostly sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, salads, soups....good food and actually good business....they say that it's even in a few Japanese travel books as a top place to eat! 
  
  Here are photos of the place.  Daytime shots with the owner..
  
  
  And the night shots for the closing night....
  
  
  

  4 comments–  Add a comment

• NYC BABY!!!

  Friday, Jan 25, 2008 1:11PM / Standard Entry

  So...my first 2 days in NY!!!  And I'm loving it!!!  Ok, I took Virgin America..and it was a GREAT flight...cool blk leather chairs...my own row to myself...I go into the bathroom and there is actually music playing while I pee!!! Ha!  My bags came out really fast...though I was a bit sad that I had to pay $10 for an extra bag...plus, the carts cost $3!!!  I had to take a car service to my friends place in Brooklyn...but, I made it ok..and it's pretty cool here.  I've never actually been to this part of town...it's nice and quiet and Nancy (my friend from High School) lives in a really cute apartment. 
  
  So...let's see...first day, I took one jazz class....I was supposed to take a tap class as well..but, decided that I didn't want to take it since there was a sub teacher.  So...I thought, it's ok...first day, got to start slow....so, I took time to go to the post office and mail out a few resume and headshots....and found this really cute little organic market called Westerly Natural Market on Eighth Ave on the corner of 54th St.  It was pretty good....they had a lot of things that Harry would definitely approve of....I didn't actually check to see if they had meat or not...but, I think they were pretty well stocked....plus, Nancy told me that we could order groceries online at a site called freshdirect.com  It's sooo cool...no need to even go there...you order your food online and they deliver it to you!  And there is organic food as well!!!  So, we did that...and the food arrived today!  So...today I took 2 classes...jazz funk...with a teacher that was very much like my teacher, Angela from Studiodanz in HK.  It was a fun class and made me miss Angela...and I also took a lyrical jazz class....LOVED IT!!! 
  
  So, after my dance classes I had to head back to the apartment to open the door for the deliver people from fresh direct.  Afterwards, I met up with my friend Ann, whom I haven't seen for 10 yrs!!!  It was sooo good to catch up with her.  We met up around 6 and ate at this place called Gusto grilled organics.  It's a new place that opened a few weeks ago on 6th Ave.  The atmosphere was very cute...with these tall wooden chairs..and very simple decorations...and the food was VERY YUMMY!!!  I've never had filet Mignon before...and I'm not really a beef fan...but, this was WONDERFUL!!  Tender, juicy...and no fancy sauces....it was really great!!! Ok...the price..well..I'm still trying to feel out what the prices are in NY..but, I think that for the serving, the quality of food, the atmosphere, and the service...well...I think it is all worth it.  I'll have to write a review about them .....
  
  And so, to top off my wonderful reunion with Ann....I took an express train that took me 4 stops past my stop.....and had to do a turn around to get back on track....walking alone for 3 blocks..in the cold...holding my purse to the point where my fingers started to have no feeling....but, I finally made it back.....good night!
  
  
  

  5 comments–  Add a comment

• Trying My New Life

  Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 10:36AM / Standard Entry

  Ok....I'm in SF now with my sister, brother-in-law, and brother.  I actually came here to bring my dog Seth all the way from Shanghai to SF...My sister, Jen, is going to take care of him while I figure out my life.  So, the move to NY is VERY possible.  Over the weekend we went snowboarding in Kirkwood (Tahoe) and today we had a few errands to run before I take my flight to NY tomorrow.   I'm very excited, anxious, nervous, scared...all in one!!!  It's a very confusing feeling....well, I'm going to take some dance classes, meet people, watch shows, and audition.  So....hopefully, it will be a great experience despite the cold....I'm pretty set on moving though...esp since Seth is already in the U.S.  I'm also hoping to find a band to work with....preferably jazz or showtunes....we'll see what happens....let's hope I can meet some cool people!  
  
  here's a photo with my sister (Jen) and brother (Harry) at a really great Mexican restaurant sporting our new "i heart organic' sweatshirts
  
  
  
  Here's Seth playing in the snow for the first time!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  8 comments–  Add a comment

85

4/17

|<

<

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

>

>|