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After all the hugs and
fighting back tears, I boarded the airplane with confidence in one hand and
fear in the other and found my seat. Sitting next to the window in the back of
the aircraft, I could no longer hold back the tears any longer and began to
cry. The plane began to move toward the runway. "Is this the right
thing I'm doing? Am I sure I want to do this? Is it too late to turn back? Oh
God, please help me." The plane was ready to zoom down the runway,
and the front wheels went up. "Good-bye Mom. Good-by Dad.
Good-bye Tim. Good-bye Wichita." As I looked out the window, that
familiar song kept running through my head;
"Start spreading
the news
I 'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
I knew, I was on my way. A new adventure, a new life, new people, a new place with great opportunity, abundance of flavor and a chance to live, to dance, to learn. That was 36 years ago this day, May 5, 1997. I "flew the coop" and ventured out on my own. I was only 21 years old, carrying 3 pieces of luggage and
$600.00 and knew where I would sleep the first night.
My ballet partner Mark met me at LaGuardia and my fear was gone. Mark had been in New York for the past couple of months. It was at this time I experienced my first subway ride from the airport to Sunnyside Queens, where I would be laying my head for a while. We dropped off my luggage and got right back on the subway for Manhattan, Lincoln Center to be specific. I had friends from St. Louis working at Alpine Pantry, Mindy and Paul. What a great reunion, as I had not seen these two since I moved to Wichita in 1977. After "hanging out" I was tired and needed to call my parents to let them know I got there ok. Where was the nearest pay phone? I could call collect. The apartment the 7 of us lived in was a one bedroom without furniture, except for the railroad spools we used for tables. WOW! But I was free! Free from restrictions, free from curfews, free from explanations. Little did I know that those restrictions, curfews and explanations would still be a part of my life, just differently.
Every morning was the same; get up, shower, take the subway into the city and attend as many ballet classes and auditions that time would allow. Oh, I also needed to find a job where the schedule would allow me to be free in the daytime for these ballet classes. My first job in New York was at a bar/restaurant named, ANIMAL CRACKERS managed and owned by some neurotic member of the mob. The location was good; 7th Avenue and 57th Street. Directly across from The New York Sheraton Hotel. Working the sidewalk tables one evening, two very good looking men said to me, "What's a nice girl like you doing working in a place like this?" As I explained I was from Kansas and needed to make money to pay for my ballet classes, they proceeded to tell me that they worked in upper management across the street at the Sheraton and that I should come over and fill out an application for a job. Ha! I thought. Well, after bringing home only $30.00 that night, I decided I had nothing to lose. Incredible! I got the job!!!! I would be working at the front desk at one of New York's busiest hotels!
Subletting Mindy's room, I had moved from Sunnyside Queens to the upper West side, 85th and Amsterdam, only 2 blocks from the bus stop. Working a full time job, I was able to still find time to take ballet classes and audition for Ballet Companies and yes, even some Broadway shows. I was so lucky as I performed as an extra with Ben Vereen at the Ed Sullivan Theatre with the Muppets and was offered the understudy part of Ado Annie in the Broadway musical, "Oklahoma." Declining the understudy role, I was at a point where I wasn't sure I wanted to continue to dance. I had danced since I was 5, I had to lie about my age at all the auditions, (21 is considered "older". Younger dancers are more appealing, so I said I was 17). My second dream job was to be a Flight Attendant.
I interviewed with three airlines; Braniff, Frontier and Eastern airlines. The third airline offered me the job of my dreams! Based in New York I flew for 7 years before Eastern went through a very painful merge with Frank Lorenzo with Continental Airlines. I retired my wings and found a job in Rockefeller Center. An office job. A year later, it was time to go back home to Wichita. In 1988, I moved home. My mom later told me that she had only given me 2 months of New York and then I'd be home. Nine years later I returned home smarter, older, wiser and ready for another adventure.
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
I knew, I was on my way. A new adventure, a new life, new people, a new place with great opportunity, abundance of flavor and a chance to live, to dance, to learn. That was 36 years ago this day, May 5, 1997. I "flew the coop" and ventured out on my own. I was only 21 years old, carrying 3 pieces of luggage and
$600.00 and knew where I would sleep the first night.
My ballet partner Mark met me at LaGuardia and my fear was gone. Mark had been in New York for the past couple of months. It was at this time I experienced my first subway ride from the airport to Sunnyside Queens, where I would be laying my head for a while. We dropped off my luggage and got right back on the subway for Manhattan, Lincoln Center to be specific. I had friends from St. Louis working at Alpine Pantry, Mindy and Paul. What a great reunion, as I had not seen these two since I moved to Wichita in 1977. After "hanging out" I was tired and needed to call my parents to let them know I got there ok. Where was the nearest pay phone? I could call collect. The apartment the 7 of us lived in was a one bedroom without furniture, except for the railroad spools we used for tables. WOW! But I was free! Free from restrictions, free from curfews, free from explanations. Little did I know that those restrictions, curfews and explanations would still be a part of my life, just differently.
Every morning was the same; get up, shower, take the subway into the city and attend as many ballet classes and auditions that time would allow. Oh, I also needed to find a job where the schedule would allow me to be free in the daytime for these ballet classes. My first job in New York was at a bar/restaurant named, ANIMAL CRACKERS managed and owned by some neurotic member of the mob. The location was good; 7th Avenue and 57th Street. Directly across from The New York Sheraton Hotel. Working the sidewalk tables one evening, two very good looking men said to me, "What's a nice girl like you doing working in a place like this?" As I explained I was from Kansas and needed to make money to pay for my ballet classes, they proceeded to tell me that they worked in upper management across the street at the Sheraton and that I should come over and fill out an application for a job. Ha! I thought. Well, after bringing home only $30.00 that night, I decided I had nothing to lose. Incredible! I got the job!!!! I would be working at the front desk at one of New York's busiest hotels!
Subletting Mindy's room, I had moved from Sunnyside Queens to the upper West side, 85th and Amsterdam, only 2 blocks from the bus stop. Working a full time job, I was able to still find time to take ballet classes and audition for Ballet Companies and yes, even some Broadway shows. I was so lucky as I performed as an extra with Ben Vereen at the Ed Sullivan Theatre with the Muppets and was offered the understudy part of Ado Annie in the Broadway musical, "Oklahoma." Declining the understudy role, I was at a point where I wasn't sure I wanted to continue to dance. I had danced since I was 5, I had to lie about my age at all the auditions, (21 is considered "older". Younger dancers are more appealing, so I said I was 17). My second dream job was to be a Flight Attendant.
I interviewed with three airlines; Braniff, Frontier and Eastern airlines. The third airline offered me the job of my dreams! Based in New York I flew for 7 years before Eastern went through a very painful merge with Frank Lorenzo with Continental Airlines. I retired my wings and found a job in Rockefeller Center. An office job. A year later, it was time to go back home to Wichita. In 1988, I moved home. My mom later told me that she had only given me 2 months of New York and then I'd be home. Nine years later I returned home smarter, older, wiser and ready for another adventure.
