My flight back to Spokane was quite a journey. I arrived at La Guardia Airport in New York to discover that my first flight was delayed by two hours which could cause me to miss my connecting flight. I took the chance with it and arrived in Denver with news that the worst had happened. I camped at the airport and snacked on chocolates my lovely friends had given me (thank you Kiat Sing, Sabrina and Kim!)

My flight to Spokane was then delayed by an hour! Not only that, when I finally arrived at my destination, I received my crushed luggage. I didn't even need to say anything when I walked to Customer Service. They knew they had to replace my bag. It wasn't going to get replaced before I have to leave for Singapore but I have bags I can borrow.  I'm surprised at how unphased I am by all that has happened. I guess I really enjoyed my month in New York and the love that I had received from the city was all that mattered. It was real nice to see everyone! Thank you for everything.

I have decided that coming to New York City is something I need in my life every once a while. The city inspires and encourages me to be better at my craft, to want to learn more about the world, to be aware of my options... to basically be a better person. 

Unrelated to this blog entry, I recently blogged about the places I’ve been to in the Big Apple so far.

Some of my favourite things about New York include, The New York Times which I subscribe to online. Madonna was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. I found her acceptance speech on YouTube to be most inspiring. Ironically, her career started off in New York. I also listened to an online broadcast where a casting director talked about auditions and the actors’ fear of it. He offered much insight.

So here’s to New York City and everything that it stands for. I know I’ll miss her when I’m away but I also know I’ll be back.

It's amazing how meeting any of my friends or catching a Broadway show in New York has become a possibility over night, after months of telling myself New York was so far away. I know I've been away but yet everything is too familiar for me to have been away. Confusing huh?

I delighted in the fact that I could simply run over to the Lunt Fontanne and jump around where The Little Mermaid is now playing (and that I will see it soon). That I lived a few blocks away from where Wicked is playing (and that I didn't before. Not even close!). That I could tell there were actors like myself around me when I rode the subway. Little thrills like that were part of the 1st day New York experience for me.

I discovered even more interesting eateries around the area that I had never set my eyes on before. Had they not been here before? Or was I blind all that time I was working at Times Square?!

I love the fact that I can audition if I want, afford to spend a little more money on good food, go to places I never had time for... basically all the choices that I didn't have while I was living hard an proper in the city. There's no experience like coming back as a tourist but living the life of a local. And I'm sure you'll be hearing more as this experience continues...

I took a trip down to Seattle and met up with Elizabeth Richmond, another ex-classmate, who graciously showed me around. I make it a point to take a picture and buy something from every Disney Store I visit in a city. So we searched all over till we found one with the help of Elizabeth's new iPhone. I was looking for the cast recording of "Twice Charmed", a musical that plays on board the Disney Magic. I ended up debating with a store Cast Member about its existence. Surely something he hadn't heard off could exist?! I found out later it's sold exclusively on board. =(

I had another rude experience at COMPUSA which unfortunately is closing nationwide. I politely asked a store assistant if he was busy, in hopes he could help me with a question. He reply was, "Does it look like I'm busy?" and he walked away. I noticed he came to rest at the checkout, so I quickly began to describe what I was looking for and I was sure before he could even understand what I was saying, he cut me off with a, "No. We don't have those!" RUDE!! I'm an actor. I'm always going to have to look for another job. I never take it out on people. Heh.

Speaking of which, I will return to Singapore in April to begin working on another show at the Esplanade in July. This show has elements of magic and apparently, I'll be involved in a magic act or two! How fun! I can't wait! Poof!

I just wrapped a spectacular musical in Singapore called Beauty World. You might like to read about it here. I had the good fortune of Eliza Cantlay, my classmate from New York, come visit and see the show! It's funny because now she's in Singapore and I'm back in the US!

Strangely, I was almost turned away at the US checkpoint. The officer-in-charge went out of his way to make things difficult, threatening to send me back on a plane. He dug through the contents of my wallet and also browsed through my laptop. Now, if I clearly stated I was coming in on a holiday visa and didn't intend to stay illegally, what does it matter if I had a New York Library card or an American bank account? Is that illegal? What business is it of his? I did have a life in the US for 3 years after all!

Speaking of a close rejection, I was also close to an acceptance. I was nearly cast in the upcoming Hollywood film, "Milk". The producer and writer liked me but it was up to the director in the end. I could have had a speaking part in a film starring Sean Penn, James Franco, Lucas Grabeel and Victor Garber! Oh, kill me another way.   But I tell myself it's part of my job. That's the only way to stay an actor. =)

It was like I crash landed into Singapore. Suddenly, I had family fussing over me again, a crazy work schedule, jet lag and climatic changes to deal with. It's summed up pretty well (with pictures) if you click right here.

All in all, I'll have a bit of time (-$) to just enjoy life before Beauty World starts to rehearse in Nov for a Jan run (+$). Then, I might hop down to New York in Feb for a short visit (-$).. who knows? I really am anxious to catch The Little Mermaid (-$), that's why! In March & April, I should be going on tour with the musical Forbidden City to Japan (-/+$?)! July should be when I return to New York to sort out my work visa (--$). Doesn't sound like I'll be too rich in the near future does it?