Alright so here’s my entry for NYC finally(so it’s been a bit more than a month Phazer)!!!

Our first day was a flight from Dallas, TX, then to Newark, NJ, followed by a bus to our hotel(The Grand Hyatt). It was exciting to be there even though it didn't look like the New York I had in mind.We didn’t see too much on the first day but however our hotel was connected with Grand Central Station(you know the place where a scene from X-Men was, where Rogue goes after she runs away?). Well anyway that place!

The second day we went to FAO Schwarz but saw lots of places on the way there. Like Fendi, Prada, Cartier, and others! We also saw many cathedrals, they were very pretty and gothic looking. When we went to FAO Schwarz it was right when it opened, there were two guys dressed up as toy soldiers and when you enter all the employees are lined up clapping for you as you come in, it was a bit awkward but cool! Every thing was great there though, ranging from their super-soft-stuffed-animals(I had to get a dalmatian–my favorite dog) to their ice cream parlor! Afterwards we saw a bit of Central Park, very nice there but lots of pigeons, I don't like pigeons.... But anyways we headed back to our hotel for rehearsal for the concert and it was five hours, literally! But afterwards I bought some strawberry cheesecake, it was soooo good and creamy+thick!! I loved all of it! Times Square was next and that was amazing! That's when I was finally hit with that I was in New York City. It was awesome there!! And the Toys R Us was three stories high with a Farris wheel inside! We walked down some more on Broadway street and saw all the Broadway posters and theaters!! We didn't get to see a show though so that was kinda a bummer since I wanted to see what the theaters were like on Broadway But it’s ok, still had fun with everything else

The next day we went to rehearsal but it was only three hours long(w00t) then to the Statue of Liberty!!! Lots of interesting facts there, like the torch was replaced since water had leaked through the windows of the torch and was eroding the inside. The view we had was so beautiful since we had access to the pedestal of the base of the statue. Oh and we took a subway home, btw those smell really horrible

Monday, the third day we went to FAO Schwarz again since the first time people were too lazy to go last time because they didn't want to get up early. They would rather sleep in than go around NYC! Why sleep in while you're in NYC, one of the livest cities?! However seeing Central Park the second time is great since it’s enormous and has lots to see there....I wish I could’ve gone running there We got to see more of Central Park as well! Remember Balto, the cartoon? Well we saw the his statue there, not the cartoon but the one that actually existed and saved the children's lives that were sick in 1925. We walked back and got ready for our dress rehearsal at Carnegie Hall, the soloists were good...except the soprano. And when you go on Carnegie Hall...it’s such an amazing and powerful feeling, just to think that even the greatest muscicians didn’t get to perform there while we did. Judy Garland even performed there! I couldn't believe I was actually there...it was so amazing to be there... I was savoring every bit I up on the stage. After the concert we went on a yacht and partied until 1:30(lol that was great!) and NYC was still as busy!

Not much happpened the next day just some shopping then we flew back home and that ended my stay in New York City, I would love to live there even though it was a bit dirty but it's lovely there.

Ooh and an update, I’ve just been seeing movies lately with friends and working. Today I saw Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and it rocked!!!!!! I can’t wait to see the third one, I wish they would hurry up and come out with it Then next week I start my theatre classes with the U of A, that’ll be a blast!!! But other than that, that’s all...oh wow and lol I forgot....July 1st was my birthday 17 now Ooh and I think Italy will beat France, what about you guys? Hope you all are doing well

Yeah I'm kinda tired of seeing the entry before my latest was one for Christmas, so I think I'll try to do a bit more But anyways update on life!

K, so I'm out of school, got out last week on Thursday, the 25! Its always sad to see the Seniors go away:cries: But I did get to see my Seniors friends at graduation parties so that was nice OMGoodness I have only two years left of high school, that'll probably go by soooo fast!!

Speaking of fast, track was a great season! And met a bunch of people...I'm thinking of doing cross-country since it was so fun So many girls dropped out though, they barely had to run and didn't like it The practice for the girls was too easy IMO so I started training with the guys It was a bit tougher but I liked it! Gave me more of a challenge Plus I got to spend some more time with a certain someone

So what else with school this year? Hmm I scored the lead role in my school's play(well one of them we do a couple) in my drama class The play wasn't that interesting but I was still happy I got a lead, maybe if I get another one next year it'll be a better play. We'll also be getting a new drama teacher which is too bad I'll miss our old one. But I'm open for change But since I'm still on the topic, I was accepted into the U of A's summer arts program! We just learn about theatre along with dance and vocals and at the end we put a musical on It starts early July and ends August 10...or around there But I'm waiting for that! I'll get some more info later...

Ooh and for the last choir concert I tried out for two solos and got them both! Well one doesn't really count since it's kinda a comedic song, The First Day of Choir! And then I had my own solo, I sung Think of Me by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was so awesome, I received a standing ovation!!  I couldn't believe it, this was definitely one of my highlights this year

And finally but certainly not least, my New York City trip! Four days!! That is before we go! I used to have the schedule of the places we were going, I'll try to make an entry before I go to tell you the places We're going to have so much fun but I still need to pack and I saw that it might rain while I'm there...that certainly ruined the wardrobe I had in mind Oh well I'll bring a few outfits for each day! I know I want to bring a sun-hat I have though Well good night! I have rehearsal and stuff later so talk to you guys later!!

♥ Natalie

Yes I finally made a "normal" entry So what's been going on with me?

Well as I had mentioned earlier I have started track. Actually the first Monday of February. It's going great so far The first day I did practice with the sprinters and the second day I did it with the distance runners....lol wow the most I had run straight was 2miles, heh we ran seven miles But I'm used to it now after three weeks I switch on and off between the two. I was bummed we didn't have practice Friday and Thursday, more so Friday since we started this thing since the first week by running to Subway(5mi all together) before practice (since we get out an hour early on Firdays) then we go to practice after that! But I didn't get to do it yesterday, guess I'll just run harder Monday At least we have an invitational to go to San Diego, so that'll be awesome lol it's kinda lame at practice though since most the girls will sit and watch the guys, I'm one of the few that run, why join track if you aren't going to do practice Oh well at least I know I'll do well when the meets come around

The date is approaching to sing at Carnegie Hall I bet New York will be so awesome But the choir director has yet to give us our practice CDs, the music is a bit difficult. It was written by Mozart. They're having this huge mass at Carnegie Hall to celebrate Mozart's 250th birthday. Have any of you been to New York before? What was it like? Did you ever see Carnegie Hall there??

Ooh and choir is going along nicely as well On Valentine's Day we did singing-grams, it was fun to see the peron's face when they realized the gram was for them Anyways the group I was in sung "L.O.V.E." by Nat King Cole. Lol I guess a lot of people never knew I could sing, lol got compliments on my outfit and voice It was fun though I tried out for "Please, Mr. Postman" by the Marvelletes and made alternate, kinda suprised me since I messed up a bunch I'm glad my friend Kylah got the solo though, it fit her voice perfect! I also made the alternate soloist for "It's My Party" by Lesley Gore....but it's weird since I didn't even try out for it Must've been a mistake or something.....But there is a solo I would like to get, it's another language, a mixture of Hebrew and Spanish, it's very pretty! It's more of a classical piece but is composed very nicely But I have a friend who wants it badly as well, I'm sure she'll make it since I can't even say the title

Now about my whole thing about wanting to be a foreign exchange student.... I would like to go next year during the summer-time so I won't miss out on any school-time over here. Since not all programs transfer school credits so that is my reasoning for wanting to go during the summer-time. I would prefer going to Japan, but if I don't I would want my alternate to be Italy, I do hope if I were to be one I would get to go to Japan But we'll see!

Oooh and guess what?? I'm an actress I auditioned at a theater to be in a musical they were going to be showing and made it in It's interesting working with people of all ages, I think I would like to continue working with the theater, they said they would like me to come back though, so yay for that It wouldn't be so tiring if I wasn't in track but I guess doing the running then going to rehearsal does take a lot out of you We have our shows this weekend, and the ones we had last week went smooth, but yesterday's was alright Just try harder I guess

Speaking of which, I had been playing Dance Dance Revolution Extreme a lot and have gotten tons better at it now I no longer look like a silly person.....well as much as a silly person Karaoke Revolution is another one I've been playing a lot lately....well before February anyways. I've been wanting to replay the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time over, maybe since Twilight Princess is coming out?? Oh well

Well that's about it for now, hope everything is going good with all of you

<3 Natalie