Hello All!

How are you all? If you haven't heard yet, I've run away with a band of "gipsies" and they've taken me to New York City. As you know, the rhythm and heart of New York deeply infected my heart since my trips here with the Red Cross earlier in 2002. One day in early May I followed the whims of my soul and heart and I decided to get on a plane, found shelter on Canal St and W. Broadway and planned a "liveable" diet of Special K with Berries, bologna sandwiches, WheatThins and some pretty good dinners from Gotham's best restaurants - gotta splurge sometimes! (I will admit I have lost about 4 pounds in a week, some might fathom to say voluntarily. :) My plan is to spend the summer here (where my sister will also be doing a medical school rotation in July (!!!), and pending entry into graduate school in Mexico City, a stellar job find or other situations, I will remain longer.
Among the highlights of my stay - I'm currently on Day 12:
watched Spiderman on its premiere night in New York City - a perfect welcome to the city where it takes place - and ate a great Chinese dinner afterwards (restaurant: Lily's)
a film wrap party - with open bar - of the upcoming movie "Staten Island", where we met some bit players from the movie; supposedly J.Lo's new husband Chris Judd is in the movie, among the very interesting international contingent who were present
the first ever Tribeca Film Fest happened (a Robert de Niro-created event to bring business to lower Manhattan) 10 short blocks away from my apt this last weekend - I saw Robin Williams in an SUV on North Moore where he waved to us, and shortly thereafter Whoopi Goldberg was roaming across a cafe where I often frequent on Jay Street
a great night with two of my best friends from college who live in New York City, sitting next to the fashion designer Anna Sui (restaurant: Chow Bar), moving to a great new eatery, enjoying delicious lobster rolls, where the proprietor had a publicly known break-up with her old restaurant partner (restaurant: Mary's Fish Camp), a latenight dessert at a New York intitution famous for their cupcakes - where a sign warns of a "2 dozen cupcake maximum" (bakery: Magnolia Bakery), and finally a drink at a hot bar (bar/restaurant: Manray) where we dished about New York societal dynamics
a rooftop wine/cheese party in an incredible 3-level apt in Tribeca on North Moore, hosted by a prominent New York art gallery owner - dare I use the term a "new friend", where one of her artists was present - Lisa Kusavage (her paintings sell in the $100,000 range) and resemble sexual Precious Moments images and figurines; and where there was a piece of art on display in the apt - a papier mache sink - worth an estimated $1.2 million (restaurant afterwards: Edwards)
a wonderful sunny Saturday afternoon with a friend's aunt, strolling through SoHo up to the West Village, eating at a great Italian patio-eatery (restaurant: Borolo) and in search of a psychic/palm reader - I'll have to share my fortune later!
a great rainy Sunday night when my roommate - an agent to the world's best make-up artists - after cooking all day, invited me to eat his delicious, homemade spaghetti dinner with him
yesterday, on Monday night, an intimate concert with 2-members of the Gipsy Kings in a East Village restaurant, largely unannouced, (restaurant: East Post) front-row, where upon the request of my friend and I, they played a favorite song of ours - "Montana" and started the number by saying "This song is for you." I had to wipe a tear.... and where I learned, the best things that happen in New York on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights
and as always... something to look forward to... an imminent (please Buddha!!!) meeting with my idol of all music idols - James Taylor - through a friend who was in the studio with him last week and knows his record producer Russ Titleman - producer of JT, Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Steve Winwood, Shaka Khan (JT's in the studio now mixing his next album)
It's been a fun few days, mixed with MANY moments of anxiety and the realization that "it's a big city out there". I am excited to be out here and look forward to the days when I'm not surprised: by paying $4.50 for a cup of coffee, that dinner with friends costs at least $50 per person, and that there's a $20 "tax" for leaving your apt door. I look forward to the days also when I'll think my outfit is the coolest in view, that my job is worthwhile and pays well, and that I can have fun dinner parties with a big group of diverse, international friends. And finally, I look forward to your visits.. so please tell me if you're in the neighborhood. I can't necessarily promise a place to crash, but I'll try to arrange something! If I haven't written in a while, please know I am well and think of you all often!
Big kiss to you all! My numer is the same, so feel free to call at any time - you know I'm up! (206.850.3500 cell) And I'll be back in Seattle for a week in mid-June and mid-July! Un beso y un fuerte abrazo,
Ann
P.S. From a little joke from a group of my friends in Seattle, the title of my emails will be "Keeping Up With Ann".