Hello world. Erm, not so much world as BCS parents who are probably worried sick about our safety. And so, I bring good tidings - we are all safe, sound, and happy.

Today was rather loco. We started with a nice breakfast of pre-toasted bagels (those rather tickled my fancy), and then went on to our last rehearsal for this tour. Around 10 o'clock we broke up into groups of those who wanted to go chillax in Central Park, those who wished to re-visit Times Square, and those who wished to go see the Jerome Robbins exhibit at the NYPL of Performance Arts. Shockingly (for me at least :) not very many young 'uns were too keen on going to the exhibit. 'Twas a shame, really, for it was extremely interesting. The exhibit displayed a collection of photographs from Robbins's childhood and those from various points throughout his life. Luke, in particular, found our excursion to the NYPL of Performance Arts extremely exhilarating (or maybe he just asked me to put that in so his parents would think he's dipping his toes sufficiently in culture...). PLUS, we got to stop by Starbucks afterwards and whoever doesn't find that exciting to the max must see a doctor right away.

We came back for a fantastical (yes, that's actually a word, its in Macbeth!) lunch of ravioli and salad and such. I must pause here to give proper thanks to Mary who as given up her vacation to cook for us. I speak for all, I am sure, when I say that everything is delicious and that I greatly appreciate it.

Afterwards we broke up into groups once more - those who wished to attend the Flea Market, those who wished to go to the Museum of Natural History, and those who wished to go to Summer Stage to see a performance by a wonderful African group (and not so much African) of musicians. I would like to say that I made my choice based on my female sense of intuition but truly I think it was chance. I was part of the group which chose to attend the concert at Summer Stage (which is, btw, in Central Park). We got to the stage only to find out that we had to trek all around the park to actually get in. And when we finally did, it started pouring rain. I've always enjoyed the great phenomenon that is H2O falling from the sky, and on such a hot and sticky day it came as a surprise. Overall, I would say that our outing was a success, for we got quite wet, danced quite a lot to music that was quite loud, ate some quite tasty fries and overall had a wonderful time.

On the way back from Summer Stage we figured we would stop by and see the fountain from the movie Enchanted. (You know that part where she's singing "How does she know that you love her?" or something along those lines? Well, that's the fountain we went to see). The awesome (causing awe, not awesome as in "that is SO sweet, dude") water-work is right by a bridge type thing which both Emma and I recognized right away to be from the master piece that is Gossip Girl (not really) and just a few yards away from the pier thing from 27 Dresses (I'm on quite the chick-flick roll (I was trying to make that all rhyme, but am sad to say that my mind is not nearly creative enough to think of a synonym for "roll" or "flow" that rhymes with flick. Oh well.) On the way home from this remarkable landmark we got soaked once again. One might think this was London, not New York City.

Because of the rain, our plans for seeing the Statue of Liberty and some other fountain thing (no disrespect intended... really, my mind is swimming with monumental names and I can't remember which is the right one!) were canceled. Instead, we had a wonderful night in watching Enchanted, gasping over all the familiar scenes (Time Warner Center, the fountain, Times Square, etc. If only we were to stay a few more days, I'm afraid Jane would be bringing home true New Yorkers! (I really shouldn't say that..)

Overall I would just like to throw this out there - all though telling my friends that we went to Philly and New York for tour this summer is not NEARLY as impressive as saying that I flew for 15 hours all around the globe and spent time hanging out with kangaroos and such, this tour was completely worth it. And the fact that I lost a job opportunity for it and skipped 3 birthday parties in addition to having to recycle a last minute birthday present (I had to attend a party the Friday before I had to leave and was forced to give my friend Christina something that I had gotten for some other gift-giving holiday because I was busy packing and could not go shopping. I am ashamed) is nothing because I feel quite bonded to my fellow choristers. In fact, if we bond any further, I am afraid we might become permanently fused together (as much as my mother loves children, I doubt she would enjoy housing me, my two sisters, and 34 more kids. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we truly had a ball; not just today but everyday. Thank you very much to everyone who made this possible!

And now I must really turn in because I am exhausted and my pillow is calling.

See ya'll soon.
That is all.
Good night.
-Sasha