Tomorrow's the Day!

It's official. Tomorrow at noon I will be China bound! I've had a very exciting weekend already though. Because I'm flying to Beijing on a group flight from Newark, Dad decided to take me on a mini-vacation to the Big Apple. It's been a while since I last came to NYC, so I was very eager to come back.









(me and Dad at Rockefeller Center)

Over these past two days, I've rediscovered that New York has it all - bright lights, crazy tourists, and people with skin color in every possible shade (literally - today I saw a man covered head to toe in tattoos - he was green and looked like a reptile). I've definitely come across some interesting blokes over here. I even experienced a hobo swearing at people to get money - I don't think this was a very effective tactic...

Anyway, today Dad and I braved the crowds in Times Square to stand in line for discount Broadway tickets. I was dying to see "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette. We got our tickets after waiting with the masses for over an hour, and spent time in Central Park until the show.









(can you guess where this is?)

We arrived almost an hour early and eagerly stood outside the stage door, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dan Rad. We didn't see him before the show, but enjoyed his brilliant performance, and waited outside the stage door once again after the show. This time though, there were policeman and bodyguards and barriers. People who didn't even go see the show were hanging around outside! It was madness, but I got a glimpse of Daniel (and a lovely picture of the back of his head, which I have displayed for your convenience). At one point, he was only 5 feet away. How exciting! I wish I could have talked to him, but at least I got to see him up close.








(if you can't spot him, Daniel Radcliffe is the one in the green hat)

Another funny thing happened after that - Dad and I saw Dan Rad's co-star John Larroquette walking the streets near Central Park with his wife. I got his autograph and got to talk with him. What are the odds of that?








(check out my signed program!)

Anyway, I've had a lovely time here in NYC with Dad and I even feel comfortable with the city now. I'm ready to try a new place - Beijing, here I come! It will be weird being a foreigner after seeing so many foreigners here in NYC - it must be tough to not understand the country's language. Although, the foreigners here speak fairly English fairly well - my Chinese skills are nonexistent. Oh well - I'm sure everything will be okay. I'll be surrounded by GYLC "scholars" who all speak English, so we'll manage together. And Mom bought me some phrasebooks, which will hopefully get me by.

Overall though, I'm so excited! I'd better get some rest before my big day - I can't believe that this time tomorrow I'll be on a plane to China!!!! More to come...:)

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