Over the past holiday weekend I took my first trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. Traveling is really one of my passions and I always feel lucky to have any opportunity to explore a new place, especially with my family. I actually was the one to suggest going on this trip, because I've always been fascinated with the city's energy. I also thought this trip would be especially fun for my grandmother, because her mother's family is from here. (Fun fact: Her mom was even baptized in St. Louis Cathedral). Last Thursday (the night before I left), I was really run down and fighting a cold, but I slept it off and was so ready for my Nola experience (And beignets!!!!!). Day 1: We got to the Hotel Monteleone and it was the nicest hotel I've ever been to. The lobby is breath taking and was extremely classy. The hotel is famous for being a literary landmark and inspiration to influential authors, it's revolving carousel bar and it's ghosts (P.S. I didn't see anything, but my dreams the first night were so bad, I swear something haunted them). For dinner, we ate in the hotel (which was quite good, but their breakfast is AMAZING). That night we went on a Haunted History Tour. Our guide was a little tipsy and I'm not sure if all of his facts were right, but a lot of the stories I knew about already, like the Axe Man and the most famous story of Madame LaLaurie's house of horrors. At night, everything looks so much different and beautiful. Day 2: On Saturday we went on a Garden District tour that I really wish was a walking tour. The homes were luxurious and made you feel like you were in Gone With the Wind. After the tour, I got to experience three New Orlean's foods that you must try: the famous Muffuletta sandwich made at Central Grocery, beignets (pronounced bin-yay-s, not bin-aye-s) at Cafe Du Monde, and Banana's Foster at Brennans. I'm a relatively healthy person that is usually conscious of what I eat, but I let everything go and just indulged in some awesome food. My mom and I walked around that humid night and waltzed into a random art gallery. It was pretty special Day 3: Easter! My favorite holiday! My family and I went to church at St. Louis Cathedral. The church is so beautiful, so I guess that's why we couldn't even get a seat! It was so hot and we standing in a huge crowd made it hotter. We got to see all of the southern locals in their colorful dresses and big hats, which was pretty special. After church, we went on a plantation tour which was great to see. For dinner, we went to the Court of Two Sisters, and the food was good. This was a great end to my trip. I had a fantastic New Orleans experience. It made me feel really connected to my grandma's family who was from there. I never met them, so I enjoyed learning about their roots, and I think it made my grandma remember a lot of things from her childhood. I'm so grateful for this trip and I can't wait to be back.
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After Hamilton, we decided to go have dinner at one of my favorite places, P.J. Clarkes. There were no cabs to be had, and someone actually took ours. Jaime, Sophia's mom, randomly blurted out "imagine if a limo pulled up and was like 'you wanna ride?', haha". What LITERALLY happens a second later? A limo pulls up says "Do you need a ride?". We couldn't believe our eyes. We got in right away, and I sure felt fancy. My mom proceeded to say "Hey Jaime! Can you say 'wow I sure wish we one the lottery?'".
For months I have listened to the Hamilton at least once a day: with my friends, during my commute, (possibly during class), in the shower, you name it. I've been so obsessed with it that my constant rapping of the constitution has actually made my family not want to see the show (they're already sick of it). If you live in the New York area, you know that Hamilton is the hottest and hardest ticket to get in town and it's basically all everyone in my school talks about (keep in mind that I go to a performing arts high school). If you've somehow missed the band wagon on Hamilton (maybe you have recently relocated your home under a rock or something to that effect), I'm gonna catch you up: Hamilton in a nutshell: So this super awesome guy name Linn Manuel Miranda wrote a few super awesome musicals, and proceeded to go on a much needed vacation. The workaholic got bored and went to a library where he found a lengthy biography on Alexander Hamilton. He read up on his life and was intrigued on how he spoke and made so many speeches and he thought "Hmmm...what if this was put into a rap?", He proceeded to write a musical based on that idea. And casted himself as the lead. The show is basically a story about Alexander Hamilton's exciting life told in rap and pop music. It's pretty fricken awesome. My best friend Sophia got 2 tickets to Hamilton and very graciously decided to take me. When I found out I was going, I could not believe it. I couldn't believe my eyes even more, when I saw our seats. Before the show, I was a little scared that I might have ruined it for myself by learning the whole soundtrack and having my expectations be so high. That was most definitely not the case. The show was everything I imagined and more. I loved it so much. I didn't realize how much dancing there was. The set doesn't change at all through out the show, but the choreography some how makes you feel as though it does. (I can't explain it). The singing was identical to the soundtrack and it blew my mind. In a certain part of the show, (I won't "spoil" anything, but you can seriously just read a text book), I started to actually cry and I still can't decide if it was because of the very sad part of the show I was watching or that I was just so overcome with happiness that I was watching something so amazing. I'm forever grateful that I got to see this American musical. Thank you Sophia❤️ At the end of the show, the Hamilton cast spoke about what most of the Broadway shows talk about this time of year. The charity Broadway Cares is a foundation that gives to numerous causes. I really suggest supporting them. Here's Renee Elise Goldsberry, who plays Angelica Schuyler, rapping about it.😂 Ahhhhh so sorry that I've been away for so long! (Schools been stressing me the hell out guys). I promise that there will be more blogs coming soon! (The New Orleans one is taking me a while). Anyway, it's a change of the season, which means summer movie trailers are already starting to come out. Fun fact: I could sit and watch movie trailers for hours, they're so addicting. But one of my cinematic regrets is not reading the Harry Potter books. I love those movies, (if I didn't, I think my sister would carve muggle on my forehead); I grew up watching them over and over again, still feeling like I was watching a live adventure. But when the movies came out, I was way too young to read the books. Moral of the story, I ruined it for myself and I feel as though the movies would have been much more exhilarating if I had read the series. (THANKS A LOT MOM). I refuse to make this mistake again with these movie's that look pretty awesome. 1. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Speaking of Harry Potter, this is a spin off of J.K. Rowling's masterpiece. It just so happens to star one of my favorite actors, Eddie Redmayne, and the movie looks quite good. Judging by the trailer, it seems to share the theme of a spectacular magical adventure, (that's my favorite genre of movies). It might be a hard read, but I will definitely be ordering this book on amazon before I go to the theater. 2. Me Before You Do you hear that? Oh, it's just me crying into my cup of tea while I read this book. I'm in the middle of this untraditional romance, and I only started it last week. The characters are likable and the book makes you really think throughout it's sarcastic humor. I'm not one for sappy love stories, but this is much different. I highly recommend it; this book is one fast and enjoyable read. 3. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children I think i read this book a long time ago, but I only remember a bit so this goes on the list too. This is only story of adventure. The movie looks like it has kind of an XMen/ Peter Pan type of feel. I've taken the oath. I'll read all three books and now when I go to the movies and someone says "Did you read it?", I can confidently say YES. I'm very excited to see this movie! Let me know if you recommend these books! Yesterday was quite a rare occasion. I got up, WILLINGLY, at 5:30 AM.
ON. THE. WEEKEND. I obviously get up that time everyday for school, but yesterday I did because I was going to an audition for an upcoming off-Broadway show, Runaways, with my friends Ginger and Chloe. The three of us met up at a Starbucks by NYU, and took the train uptown to Talent Unlimited High School. (Where the auditions were being held). I was excited to see the high school a lot of my friends go to. The audition process was a little different than other auditions I've been to, and it was cool to have a new experience with my friends and I, bonding over our nervous energy. But like any open call, there were tons of kids and we waited around all day until our numbers were called. We all agreed that after running on adrenaline during the whole process, we were exhausted when it was over. After that, we went to this cute little diner in the village and went back to Ginger's ADORABLE apartment. (She has one of the cutest rooms I've ever seen). The three of us hung out, watched YouTube videos, talked about the meaning of life, gave each other temporary tattoos, discussed books, and so on and so on. It reminded me of being a little kid and having nothing to do but at the same time not having enough time to do it. The afternoon was full of tons of laughs. In the evening we were off, and went to our school to see the first SDF (Spring Drama Festival) performance of the season; "Don't Drink the Water". I really was unsure about if I would like it or not (the play is by Woody Allen), because the concept was a bit weird to me. Though once it started, I could not stop laughing. I thought the script was hysterical and the comedic timing was on point. All of the kids were fantastic, and I really wanna congratulate them on such a great job! Yesterday was really fun and full of new experiences. It really did make not-sleeping-in feel like nothing...but damn, was I tired. P.S. Ginger got a call back, so send good vibes! So proud of her! 💓 Last night I got to be on the dais for one of my best friends Sweet 16. I was so honored be in her entourage for the night. This was my first time being asked, and it made me incredibly excited.
The party was Oscar themed, and it really was spectacular. Between the red carpet, awesome DJ (shoutout to Alex & the awesome dancers from E-Squared), Dunkin Donuts AND decked out candy table, it was definitely as glamorous as I expected. Getting to dance with my best friends, while celebrating one of them, made for the best night ever. There was so much love in the room for Sophia, and it's truly because of how great of a person she is. I think everyone there could agree that they were beyond lucky to see her on her special night. Thank you Sophia, and happy 16th birthday❤️ On Friday, after a long week, my friends and I went to Magnolia bakery (the one on the upper West side) after school. I've never been there before but I didn't get a cupcake; I gave up chocolate for Lent, and vanilla's not worth the calories. After a short walk, we got there, and let me say, the little shop looked like it was out of a NYC story book. Adorable little shops + pastels make me very happy. The place was packed, so my friends and I found our own little spot outside (it was surprisingly nice and sunny out yet it was snowing this morning. New York weather in one sentence). We had so much fun eating, joking around, and taking pictures. Moral of the story, take time out of your day once in a while to sit outside and eat a cupcake with a friend or two. No matter how busy you think you are. You'll be happy that you did. BTW, check out my friend Chloe's new blog! (right, blonde, with the awesome gold shoes). She's got some adorable recent posts!
I was coming home from school on the 1 train, and getting off I dropped a $5. I turn around to see Steven Baldwin handing it to me, saying "Be careful with your money!". It was't until I got off that I realized who had just done a small act of kindness. Now I wish I got back on and the train and took a picture!
Alicia Vikander. Utterly stunning, very appropriate, and something that looks like a winner for best supporting actress would wear. Side note: my sister and I screamed when she won; her work in "The Danish Girl" was that good.
Last week I was one of four acts performing for the Tuesday night cabaret at The Don't Tell Mama (on 46th between 8th and 9th). I was a little nervous, because I've never done a cabaret (you sing while the audience eats/drinks). My WHOLE family was there, my best friends (the regulars in my past blog post), AND my school friends. So basically everyone I really love had to sit and watch me talk and sing. When it was over though, I realized I could of just relaxed. It was really fun up there, and the people that were in the audience were the most supportive ones in my life. I was so happy all of them came out that night, it meant the world. Here's my whole set down below: (Note: THE CAMERA WAS FACING UP AT ME IT WAS SUCH A BAD ANGLE IT DOES NOT EVEN LOOK LIKE ME I PROMISE).
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Caroline MeadeMaking noise through multiple mediums since 2001. Archives
May 2020
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