Spring Break Still Exists!!!

Well, to some degree. For us adults, Spring Break simply comes and goes with little disruption. However, since I'm "back in school" (yes, acting school counts), I return to the reverie of a week in mid-March designated for rest, relaxation and travel. But, still maintaining my adulthood, all the thrilling, irresponsible "me"-time was squished into 24 hours! Maybe the best 24 hours of this decade!

My getaway took place in a little place out on Long Island called, East Hampton. As in "THE HAMPTONS", as in "the place people from the City 'summer' during the hot months", as in... ok I can't think of anything else. We took a late train out and didn't arrive until 11 p.m. so not much going on that evening except a quick tour of the house (nothing quick about this four-story home) and off to bed. It wasn't until the morning that I realized I had discovered my dream house. I didn't even know I had a dream house until I really took it all in. Please view below...



ERiN'S DREAM HOUSE





Let me just take this moment to say, I have never in my life wished for great wealth or possessions or whatever, but I would LOVE to own this house. The size is grand, but even walking the empty halls I couldn't help but imagine it full. Maybe its because I come from a family of 8 and although there are quiet moments in our home, you never feel alone even when you are there by yourself. That is precisely how I felt the morning I spent there.

This "Sleeping Beauty" (as I was called in my friend's note they left me) slept so late they went into town to get the ingredients for our breakfast and left me in my slumber. Another epiphany on my little jaunt, I don't sleep particularly well in NYC (shocker). I had a couple hours of solitude in my new home to explore, and I spent most of that outdoors. Part of its allure is the massive yard surrounding the house! Perfect for football, soccer, tag, croquet, anything! And great trees as well, which I successfully climbed, thank you very much!

When my friends returned we cooked a wonderful brunch, ate, chatted, played in the yard, walked on the beach (which was only 5 minutes away), cooked an amazing dinner with fresh fish caught that day, and ended the day watching Lost on the HD movie theater screen while eating fresh baked cookies. Paradise? I think yes!

Sadly that is where I had to catch the 11 p.m. train back to the City, but I could not have planned a better 24 hour get-away!

Sleepy Hollow

Yes, as in "The Legend of..." A couple friends from class decided we should rent a car and go visit the famous little village. Only 25 miles from Manhattan, Sleepy Hollow provided every bit of pulse-quickening eeriness that we had hoped for... even the McDonald's was creepy!

Let me explain just a little bit, at present we are working on monologues in our acting class based in a small town. Just about every acting program in the country uses Spoon River Anthology at some point. Each page holds the last thought, confession, profession, raving, love note of members of this small town. Its their last chance to speak before resting forever. Our instructor always says, "If you opened up the casket, what would you get from them."

So, as "research" we decided to trek up north and visit this small town, at night of course. And where better than the Old Dutch Church Cemetery to really get the feel of the work. Classic formula for killer-slasher-horror film, luckily we all survived! Oh, sorry, I gave away the ending!
We also spent a good chunk of time playing with a camera. We discovered we can look very ghost-like by increasing the exposure. Hopefully I can post some of those pictures soon!

I count the trip a total success! We were a little bleary-eyed for class the next morning, but completely worth it and I think Suzanne would actually appreciate our... dedication.