Fifteen years ago these two sassy sisters moved to New York City.
I came to pursue an acting career and my sister came for adventure. We had lots of both! We hit street fairs, sample sales, plays in the park, bars in the bowery, broadway shows, big white snows, we took advantage of all the city had to offer and loved every minute! My sister, Andrea got a "real" job and was transferred out of state within two years but I stayed here auditioning, performing and making ends meet in between gigs with every job imaginable to an enthusiastic gal from New Mexico looking to make her mark on stage and screen. I was a nanny, a waitress, foot model, party performer, office temp, asisstant and eventually a fitness instructor, personal trainer and small business owner of Jolynn Baca jewelry designs. I became a professional actress and toured all over the world, performed in New York City downtown, midtown and just north of town. I did music videos, voice overs, online instructional videos, flash mobs, student films, independent films and webisodes. Any opportunity to perform was an opportunity...there is nothing like it!!
The Big Apple has been good to me...I met my wonderful husband here. I had our baby here. I have formed lifelong friendships. I have had incredible experiences. After 15 years, I consider myself a New Yorker....we get to wear a special badge of survival! This city living is exhilirating, but it's tough too. I've trudged through several feet of snow at 6am the day after a storm to train clients in their homes, I've traveled through three boroughs on four types of transportation to teach a class, I've carried three types of dance shoes, one music book, a cosmetic bag of make up and three changes of clothes to four different auditions in three parts of town. This is NOT "Smash" and "Friends" living...this is the REAL New York, the one I always love and sometimes loathe, but will forever be proud of surviving!
Fast forward to the sassy sisters now...we are new moms with new priorities...me a girl and my sister a boy!
Without a doubt, motherhood is my all time favorite role! This little girl has filled me with so much more joy than I ever imagined possible and has really made it clear to me what is important in my life. I love knowing that Parker will always be a New York baby, but we want her to have grass and space and family nearby. So, after 15 years, I say goodbye to my dear New York City and hello to a whole new adventure.Rob, Parker and I are moving to the Washington D.C. area on July 1!!! What a wonderful time to move to our Nation's Capitol....just in time for July 4! We will be a quick drive (that's what you do in the burbs) to my other sister, Anna Marie (it's her turn to deal with me full time) and Rob will be working for a global architectural firm in the area. Yes, he's kind of a superstar and has a FANTASTIC job waiting for him...I am super proud! I will not immediately be working, so I get to have some unexpected bonus time at home with Parker. THIS is priceless.
We leave our friends and New Jersey family with a heavy heart but an open invitation to come visit....it's only four hours away and $1 on a Bolt bus :) I WILL be back in August to teach intenSati for a Lolë meet up in Hudson Park so be sure to join me!! You can still hear me giving fitness tips on the radio every other Tuesday morning on DayBreak USA . If you want to know what's happening with us, check back here often. My plan is to post regularly about our new adventures!
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, "The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and beauty in the world." I remember coming over that bridge my first time with such excitement and hope for the life I was about to live as a single gal living in the big city. I will savor that view one last time as we drive to D.C. full of excitement and hope for the life we're about to live as a family.
See ya later New York, I'll never say goodbye.
