So, I just finished watching 'Julie and Julia,' which stars Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. First of all, I love the combination of the two of them...they are a dynamic duo. If you haven't seen the movie 'Doubt,' which stars them both (along with Philip Seymour Hoffman), you should...it is excellent. Right after the movie finished, I decided to bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Coincidence? I think not. My sister, Kathy, told me before I watched the movie that it would make me want to bake...she was right. The two main activities in the movie are baking and blogging...need I say more?
There are two main reasons (besides the inspiration from the movie) that I am blogging: 1) to share my thoughts on this upcoming semester at NYU and 2) the People's Choice Awards are on tonight!
First, I am going to discuss my NYU thought process. A couple days ago, I went on to the NYU website, and printed off my Spring semester tuition bill for my parents. Noticing that the bill for next semester is very high, it challenged me to answer one big question, "James, do you really want to go back to NYU next semester?" Honestly, I thought to myself, the answer might be "no." NYU is very expensive, and I only want to go back if I am 100% sure that it is the right decision. On the way to my best friend's house the other day, my mom and I discussed this very topic. We both concluded that NYC is the place for me to be because it is the city of opportunity, especially since I want to become a successful recording artist. It is a place where I can find out about an audition, and the next minute, I will be on my way there. As many of my friends know, living in NYC is how I found out about the 'America's Got Talent' auditions (speaking of which, if we are to advance to the next round, we are supposed to find out soon!) My struggle is this: being home, having a job, having a car, and being near to so many of my friends is SO tempting. Living at home would completely cancel out the cost of living in NYC, having a job would mean a steady income for me, having a car would mean freedom, and living near my friends would get rid of long absences. On the other hand, living in NYC would present me many opportunities. Continuing to pursue my Master's degree at NYU would give me more vocal training, acting classes, career connections, and lasting friendships. To sum all of this up, I am seriously torn. To me, not going back to NYU would be quitting something...and I am not a quitter. On the other hand, I would be saving my family a lot of money. Second semester begins in two weeks, and I need to make a decision. I will keep you posted as to my decision...
On a lighter note, the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS are on tonight...woot woot! I am so stoked for these awards. First of all, Queen Latifah is hosting!...and I love her. Second of all, Miss Carrie Underwood is going to be there!!! I have heard rumors that she is going to perform...I really hope she does! As many of you know, this past year, I was very discouraged because Taylor Swift kept winning all these awards, many of which Carrie was also nominated for. My biggest disappointment was when Taylor beat Carrie for 'Female Vocalist of the Year,' dethroning Carrie as the three-time Female Vocalist of the Year. Why was I so disappointed? Don't get me started. Tonight, Carrie and Taylor are both nominated for 'Favorite Female Artist' and 'Favorite Country Artist.' I cannot even tell you how many times I voted for Carrie...because I lost count :-) I am really routing for Carrie tonight...I would LOVE to see her win. She is already having an amazing year...engaged to Canadian hockey player Mike Fisher, her third album 'Play On' is doing really well, and she is about to launch another tour (which I will be attending in Rochester on March 31st...6th row!) Oh, and she is making her acting debut in an episode of 'How I Met Your Mother' in March...awesome! In other categories, I would love to see 'Glee' take home the award for 'New TV Comedy,' as well as 'The Proposal' to win 'Favorite Movie.' There are a couple other categories I am interested in, but those are the main ones...we shall see what happens!
Anyway, thanks for reading. If you have any comments on any of this, please leave me one. I will definitely read them.
'Til next time...
