Jenny in Florida Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 After living at home and working and saving her pennies for about a year and a half, my daughter fulfilled a nearly life-long dream and moved herself to NYC in June. She left with two suitcases, one month of a pre-paid AirBnB room in someone's apartment, and no job. In early July, she signed a lease and moved into an apartment she shares with friends of friends of friends. She also landed a temporary job teaching summer musical theatre camps for kids. She started as an assistant and moved up to lead teacher. By the time of the last showcase performance, there were multiple families telling her boss that the show my daughter helped direct was the best one the program had ever done and asking to have their kids placed in her classes for the fall semester. Today, she began training for a nearly full-time admin job at a very large and well-known dance school where she will be allowed to take dance classes for free in her spare time. She will teach at the theatre program on her days off from the primary job. In about three weeks, she begins a two-year program at a prestigious acting school (recently listed among the 25 best alongside Yale and NYU Tisch and similar universities). She has been invited to help the director of the theatre program expand and possibly found a small theatre company. Based on the editing/ovehaul my daughter did on the script they used this summer, she's been asked to adapt some more material into scripts for their upcoming programs. Did I mention she's 19 years old? This morning on her way to work, she had a little joy breakdown when she realized that the life she has wanted since she was eight years old is all falling into place for her. It's not going to be an easy couple of years. The two jobs combined won't quite cover all of her monthly expenses, meaning she will have to live frugally and continue to draw on her savings more heavily than would be ideal. And between the two jobs, acting classes, dance classes and whatever other side gigs she can pick up for some extra cash, she won't have much time to rest. But it's going to be awfully exciting, and I'm about as proud of her as a mom could possibly be. Okay, I'm done now. Thanks for letting me say all of that out loud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemiSweet Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 That is awesome! Kudos to her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Wow! That's awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Well my 19yo is waiting tables.... ;-p Seriously though, she sounds awesome, and go her for making her dreams come true!! I'm probably only a little jealous since my 19yo is in "I don't wanna grow up" mode right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Congratulations to all of you! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 As the mom of a couple theater kids that is AWESOME! You can brag a lot on that great, go-getter girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 :hurray: Thanks for sharing. I love hearing what our "kids" are doing - even more when they are doing it in a niche they love! She sure sounds like she's found hers. That would make me super proud too. :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 that is so wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Fantastic! Her hard work and dedication will bring such fulfillment. And NYC is so much fun for young people! Be proud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 How amazing! I hope her all the best in NYC, and continued success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmsurbat Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 It's not going to be an easy couple of years. The two jobs combined won't quite cover all of her monthly expenses, meaning she will have to live frugally and continue to draw on her savings more heavily than would be ideal. And between the two jobs, acting classes, dance classes and whatever other side gigs she can pick up for some extra cash, she won't have much time to rest. But it's going to be awfully exciting, and I'm about as proud of her as a mom could possibly be. Okay, I'm done now. Thanks for letting me say all of that out loud! My eldest is also living her dream in NYC. However, she is past the barely-making it stage :-) and doing well. However, one thought came to my mind about extra monies: my daughter managed to get a couple or two with small baby who needed babysitting one evening a week. I think she averaged an extra $100 per session plus free dinner (couple would order take out for her) plus bonuses for past midnight hours. She could study/read/etc/ once the baby was down. The pay was so good that she kept up the babysitting for a year or two after graduation because it paid more than her "real" job just out of uni. Best wishes for all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 How wonderful, thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in FL. Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 That is awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Your post brought tears of joy to my eyes. How absolutely wonderful! For both of you.... :) :hurray: :grouphug: :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 As the parent of a child interested in a career in the arts (session guitarist), I really appreciate your update! I want him to follow his dream, but then I worry, worry and worry more about him being able to support himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 How absolutley wonderful for her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Another mom of theater kids who is THRILLED to read about her adventures! Thank you for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Good for her! How wonderful that you supported her dreams but also that she worked hard for them. I know it was hard to see her move, and it is great to hear she is doing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 :party: :grouphug: That is awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4ofus Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I read this out loud to my children. Thank you for sharing. You should be proud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hikin' Mama Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 That is awesome! It is so great to see our kids become independent and go out to make their mark on the world. Good job, Mom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 How wonderful! Thanks for sharing. All the best of luck to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Absolutely, you should brag!! Congratulations to you both! So nice to see your daughter achieving her dreams. My Mom left home (against her parent's wishes) to go become a ballerina in NYC in the 50s. She saved her pennies, left, and was successful…until a bad injury. Still, she said it was the best thing she ever did. Among other careers, she taught ballet, tap, and flamenco until her late 70s. At her 75th birthday, she performed a tap routine as well as doing 5 or 6 pirouettes in a row. I love that I have her life as a role model in following your dreams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 So wonderful!! I love that she is willing to work so hard and doesn't expect anyone to just hand something to her. Good job, Mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 How exciting! Good luck to her and your son! Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today. I want to be a part of it. New York, New York… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 However, one thought came to my mind about extra monies: my daughter managed to get a couple or two with small baby who needed babysitting one evening a week. Thanks for sharing that thought. My daughter has put out some feelers about babysitting, but hasn't found anything yet. She does have a phone interview today with a company that provides mascots and other entertainment for corporate and similar events. Her local job was in a related field, and she has great references. So, that may turn out to be a good source of occasional extra income when she can fit something into her schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSL Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 This is wonderful! Just curious, was she homeschooled? I hope my kids will be like that when they reach her age. Good job, mom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Awesome! So many local arts and theater types here we know have their hands in many projects and jobs to get by. But many of them are also the most happy and fulfilled people we know. Congratulations to her and I hope she enjoys New York. Good for her for having the guts to move there on her own - what an amazing opportunity! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Wow!!! What a fabulous update!!! Please continue to share with us how she's doing. How fun to be young :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 This is wonderful! Just curious, was she homeschooled? I hope my kids will be like that when they reach her age. Good job, mom! Yes, she was homeschooled until she enrolled in an early college entrance program. And thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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