New York, I Love You

Try four days and nights in New York City as the administrator on duty...C'mon, I dare you. Our annual music department's spring festival was in New York this year. Our orchestra and band students went as a group, and our choir went as the other group. That put us at almost 200 kiddos from a middle school in Williamsburg, VA. Surprisingly, there were few issues with discipline, getting lost, etc. My biggest issue was battling the bus drivers we hired and arguing with the bus company about expectations and the itenerary--YIKES!!!

While I am drained and sick (again), I am glad I had an opportunity to be a part of such a unique experience. I never dreamed when I was in high school doing my trips to Florida and New York that I would one day be an educator accompanying students on a trip. The best part of the trip was celebrating the successes and achievements of our kids. We walked away with some AWESOME acknowledgements and awards, including our choir teacher getting the BIG director's award for her dedication and hard work.

I can't express how much I love New York. The atmosphere and pace of life is so exciting. There are so many things to do, places to go, and opportunites for exploration. I think my "fear" in going up that way would be the cost of living and figuring out what I would do. I have some friends up that way and will plan to talk with them; however, my goal is to start with a city that I can manage and perhaps work my way to New York (smile! Yes, I have a plan!)...I know I would not be able to handle the cold weather--that would be my one MAJOR complaint!

Last Thursday, Lisa, our school's choir director, and I decided to walk Central Park. The students that had been set free in the city for sight seeing, and we had some free time before the kids had rehearsal. We happened to be in the park on the day that the Broadway casts were having their baseball/softball tourneys. Lisa and I were quite excited and looked to see what shows were participating. The team we stumbled across first had this hot actor who I determined would be my future husband; he was from "Wicked" or "Blue Men". We laughed and talked about him and watched the game for a bit. Then we set out to find the game where the "Hairspray" cast was since that was the show we were seeing. We found them playing against "Mama Mia", and "Hairspray" was losing. There was a cast member whose jersey titled him "T". This is also how his fellow cast members addressed him. He was up to bat and I watched him make his way to the plate. Of course, Lisa had something to say, and I was still on #17 from the first field (smile). There was brief eye contact between myself and T, but realistically I knew these were actors, I am on a trip, I am a realist...Well, on the night of the show, Lisa and I had paid close enough attention to identify those on the stage from the game. When I spotted "T" I began to thumb my playbill to read his bio...So, it became a HUGE shock when I saw the name Tevin Campbell. Tevin Campbell? I only know of one Tevin. The one I had that crush on in middle school and high school. You know the one that sang "Can We Talk" and "We Go Round and Round"? The one that was on "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" when Ashley celebrated her birthday and he came and sang to her and she fainted??? You know that Tevin Campbell? It was him! There he was on the stage doing his thing...I was already excited because Norm from "Cheers" was in the show, but this was even better.

I wonder if he noticed I was in the crowd...You're laughing, but I learned that the actors really do pay attention the crowd. I know I did when I was in shows. I should state that I had a "secret weapon" that did draw attention to where I was sitting: Ezra. The nurse on our trip has a brother that lives in New York. He, his girlfriend, and their friends came to the show. The friends had the CUTEST child ever!!! His name was Ezra, and Ezra really liked me and became a friend of mine during the show. Well, Ezra's mom is an actress. After the show they stayed behind to see some of the cast who all came out to see little Ezra and talk about how they were watching him during the show. So, did he see me??? Sure...he did!

The trip was a memorable one! These are the unique experiences of an administrator.

A side note...I made my first Tiffany's purchase! I was so very excited and am pleased with the little gift I got as a late birthday gift for myself. Every woman needs a little blue box at least once in her life, or a really great pair of shoes...or a purse...hahahaha...I am going to stop there!