...that's the time...I possibly finally fall asleep. Possibly. Oh, how lovely it is. This is perhaps the third or fourth night running now that it is clearly well past 3am, and I am still quite wide awake. Oy. So, needless to say, I've also been sleeping extremely late for me, waking when it is nearly not morning anymore. This all very strange, and I am not sure what my body is up to...but I don't like it! You're crazy, Samantha! I don't even think I have much weighing on my mind...certainly not like when I am mid-semester at school. As my sister Jessi says with her latest phrase, c'est la vie, such is life.
Of course, the crazy cunundrums my sisters and I have been getting into...watching movies, playing Scrabble, cooking hard-tack candy, watching Jimmy Kimmel Live and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, delivering endless lines of movie quotes and jokes, etc...haven't helped with the sleep patterns, but I'd say it's been worth it...mostly.
Gratitude 153
I enjoy the craziness that ensues when my sisters and I converge on my mom, jumping into our parents' bed, while our dad has fallen asleep on the couch watching some late-night nonsense, and jabbering away in a far from cohesive manner and ending in fits of giggles--much like we did late Christmas night. :)
Life was somewhat a frenzy leading up to the days before Christmas. Wednesday (Christmas Eve Eve!) held a Christmas party, caroling, and rehearsing with my friend Nick for Christmas Eve mass...it was a rather long day. Christmas Eve was pleasant with cleaning, watching White Christmas, Christmas preparations, singing at Christmas Eve mass (went really well!), family gifts, a little wine, etc. It was beautiful...the music, the snow, the lights, the cold. :) Quintessential Christmas.
At mass, near the end, all the lights are turned out and the slight illumination of the candles upon the altar remain the only glow. I sang Engelbert Humperdink's "Evening Prayer," followed by the traditional "Silent Night." That is my favorite moment of Christmas every year, watching the soft flicker of the candles while I absorb the music echoing through the vibrant acoustic of the little, old, wooden church; it's when I feel Him beside me most of all. :) Köszi, Isten.
Sadly, we awoke Christmas morning to rain, and the green grass peeping through, creating a perfectly muddy mess outside. :( Makes me grumpy when that happens, but we made the best of it. The day began and ended wonderfully...the middle was a bit muddy, like the weather outside, but c'est la vie. Nothing is perfect. I got a lovely new pashmina! Burnt orange sort of color. (Yes, another one! My mom surprised me again. How pleasant! I just love them!) A new watch since mine broke, Season Three of Gilligan's Island AND the reunion episode!...that makes the complete series!, a Tai Chi set, and iTunes cards. I'd say I made off with some pretty awesome loot. ;)
My friend Sarah quoted something a couple weeks ago from a song...My world is changing, I'm rearranging, does this mean Christmas changes, too? I responded to her with, "Yes, it does." I have noticed over the years since I've gone away to college just how life changes. However, until Sarah said this, I don't think I realized it so much before. Perhaps, it is simply because I am in this strange place in my life, approaching a huge transition...and I have no idea what that transition is going to be right now. It's different. (My latest life scheme, as my sister Becca and I were just watching Ace of Cakes is that I am just going to go work there, creating little people out of chocolate, end up in snipits of the show, singing little ditties as I work, and then someone will send me a contract to sing somewhere. haha! Yeah, right! Funny, though.)
Snow has covered everything once again. Actually, not just covered, engulfed in a marshmallow world. It is so beautiful outside! :) The wishing well in the backyard is half-buried in the fluffy white. Xander loves to look out the one window downstairs, watching the birds at the bird feeder and the snow. It's like we're in a snowglobe. :)
Well, good night...or good morning, I should say. Perhaps I will fall asleep now? Not likely. I know it's belated, but Merry Christmas, or Boldog Karácsonyt, and very soon BUEK, or Happy New Year! :)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Being Home
Today marks one year since I returned to the States from my beautiful and adventurous excursions abroad. (Actually, it could technically have been yesterday...jet lag and time changes mess with your sense of time and date.) I thought it would be weird thinking of going home for the holidays and not having the exchange of culture and holiday airport rush that I experienced last year, but everything feels as if I didn't skip a beat. Cool, but it still feels like a dream...feels so long ago, yet just the other day. I was thinking about my studies with Lynn and how I feel I never took a semester away from her but that I grew as a musician so much while away that we could never have been doing the things we are without that time of study I took abroad. Look at me getting all mushy. Okay, I'm done.
(However, I would be lying if I said I didn't still have a tugging in my heart that yearns to return overseas...just have to figure out how I can swing that monetarily...I need some rich old sugar daddy who wants to pay for my travels. haha! Just kidding! I have always said I need an Aunt March, though.)
Gratitude 152
I am happy that I have always had the privilege of being home for the holidays. Lucky...despite how much my family can irritate me...then, again, it wouldn't be family if they didn't drive you crazy! haha! :)
Semester grades were posted today. All A's and one B+. Yay! (The B+ I actually thought rather generous, as it was for my last general education course, and I did not put forth as much effort as I probably should have.) I'd say I'm doing pretty well...and I very much want to graduate with honors...one more semester, but at current, I'm looking at perhaps magna cum laude. That'd be awesome. I know it doesn't really mean a whole lot in the realm of things...just a sticker on your degree diploma and a few extra words in your personal biography, but it is the knowing of the accomplishment you have achieved. Sort of like the Fulbright...not only would it be sweet to have, but the honor of the title would be something extraordinary.
Also, that thing I said about my partial insomnia skidoodling when I'm on a break...I take that back, since I didn't fall asleep till at least 2:30am last night. Fun times. Brain, turn off!
Happy first day of Winter! :)
(However, I would be lying if I said I didn't still have a tugging in my heart that yearns to return overseas...just have to figure out how I can swing that monetarily...I need some rich old sugar daddy who wants to pay for my travels. haha! Just kidding! I have always said I need an Aunt March, though.)
Gratitude 152
I am happy that I have always had the privilege of being home for the holidays. Lucky...despite how much my family can irritate me...then, again, it wouldn't be family if they didn't drive you crazy! haha! :)
Semester grades were posted today. All A's and one B+. Yay! (The B+ I actually thought rather generous, as it was for my last general education course, and I did not put forth as much effort as I probably should have.) I'd say I'm doing pretty well...and I very much want to graduate with honors...one more semester, but at current, I'm looking at perhaps magna cum laude. That'd be awesome. I know it doesn't really mean a whole lot in the realm of things...just a sticker on your degree diploma and a few extra words in your personal biography, but it is the knowing of the accomplishment you have achieved. Sort of like the Fulbright...not only would it be sweet to have, but the honor of the title would be something extraordinary.
Also, that thing I said about my partial insomnia skidoodling when I'm on a break...I take that back, since I didn't fall asleep till at least 2:30am last night. Fun times. Brain, turn off!
Happy first day of Winter! :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sophistication.
(I cannot remember if I already used this gratitude, so I hope I am not being repetitive.)
Gratitude 151
I am thankful for my name. Samantha. Sophisticated yet simple, charming yet elegant. I like it. Thanks, Mom and Dad. You made a good choice. :)
This morning was the annual youth group Christmas party at the little church my family attends. Oh, joy. Got called a high schooler and was constantly asked what grade I was in by kids and adults alike. No, thank you. I very nearly have a bachelor's degree! Cute pictures of Xander resulted from today's activities, though.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Silver and...silver
Being the year of my parents' 25th wedding anniversary, everything has been silver...including most all of our Christmas decorations. So, needless to say, everything is sufficiently very sparkly. :)
Gratitude 150
"Snow snow snow Snow! It won't be long before we'll be there with SNOW!"
I arrived home yesterday with a fair amount of snow covering the town. Today, though, it's been snowing nonstop, covering the place in soft, white fluff that will glitter in the moonlight. :) I LOVE SNOW!
Slept till 1:30pm today! I NEVER do that. I told my sister last night, though, that whenever I come home for a break with nothing looming over my head, my body lets down its guards, and my partial insomnia takes a hiatus. Mustn't let my guards down so much that I let myself get sick, though! Lots of singing to do when I return to university, all of which I must spend some time this break preparing for. I don't have time for illness in my life.
(I know, this looks awful...the snowman changes colors...I tried to catch it on another color, but every picture landed on yellow...)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
And so it goes
All rehearsals finished until after the first of the year. (Of course, I have a lot of work to do on my own over the holidays. Semmi baj. Nothing troubled.) Apartment is nearly all cleaned. Laundry finished. Room tidied. Suitcase nearly full. Dinner at Giuseppe's tonight with Alexa, her mommy, and her aunt. Yum! Then, hanging out at Bryan and Katie's and maybe watching the amazing Jeanette MacDonald in Naughty Marietta. I haven't seen it, but Katie keeps raving about it.
Gratitude 149
In Iolanthe rehearsal this morning, we were working the Act 1 duet between Phyllis and Strephon, and what do I find out?!?! I will be sitting on a swinging while I'm singing! Eek! Awesome! :) I'm pretty excited about it.
Dinner at Caitie, Katie, and Bryan's place Tuesday night was awesome. We made Caitie's famous - and DELICIOUS - hamburgers and pasta salad. Yum! Then watched Home Alone 2. Oh, and they gave me a very pretty bedazzled Christmas gift. ;) Thanks, guys!
Super Mario with Q and Nick...lame! It wasn't the real Super Mario, it was Super Mario Party. Normally, you'd think something with gumdrops and birthday cakes I would find fun and enjoyable. Sorry, Mario, the original is the only way to go. Although, Super Mario Galaxy on the wii is pretty fun. I'm not much for video games, but I certainly love Mario.
I came home and as typical, checked my messages. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw something in my email inbox that said "U.S. Fulbright Program" on it. False alarm. Turned out to be a thank-you-for-submitting-your-application-please-take-a-moment-to-fill-out-this-survey-about-your-application-process email. Lame! My heart went from rapid beating to quite possibly a dead stop. Awesome.
Rehearsals have been going alright. I began my blocking last night. Let me tell you, it is rather awkward when Mark, the director, is demonstrating, and he is an inch from your face or bowing to kiss your hand or promenading you around in a circle. haha! Very awkward. However, this is just how Mark works, so it pretty much doesn't even phase me anymore. He's just trying to get the point across. This morning, he was demonstrating again, and this time, I was led in a circle and propped upon his knee. Weird. He was just showing my Strephon (Brian) what to do, but it's still a strange moment when he does that stuff. Whatever. Tis show business. ;)
Home for the holidays in the morning. I will try to keep up on some posts while I'm at home...despit the dial-up connection...and finally with some pictures!...there has been too many words and not enough pretty photos to look at lately. I have a Christmas Eve mass to prepare music for, and caroling with my little sister and my dear friends Sandy and David. I love Christmas! :)
Gratitude 149
In Iolanthe rehearsal this morning, we were working the Act 1 duet between Phyllis and Strephon, and what do I find out?!?! I will be sitting on a swinging while I'm singing! Eek! Awesome! :) I'm pretty excited about it.
Dinner at Caitie, Katie, and Bryan's place Tuesday night was awesome. We made Caitie's famous - and DELICIOUS - hamburgers and pasta salad. Yum! Then watched Home Alone 2. Oh, and they gave me a very pretty bedazzled Christmas gift. ;) Thanks, guys!
Super Mario with Q and Nick...lame! It wasn't the real Super Mario, it was Super Mario Party. Normally, you'd think something with gumdrops and birthday cakes I would find fun and enjoyable. Sorry, Mario, the original is the only way to go. Although, Super Mario Galaxy on the wii is pretty fun. I'm not much for video games, but I certainly love Mario.
I came home and as typical, checked my messages. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw something in my email inbox that said "U.S. Fulbright Program" on it. False alarm. Turned out to be a thank-you-for-submitting-your-application-please-take-a-moment-to-fill-out-this-survey-about-your-application-process email. Lame! My heart went from rapid beating to quite possibly a dead stop. Awesome.
Rehearsals have been going alright. I began my blocking last night. Let me tell you, it is rather awkward when Mark, the director, is demonstrating, and he is an inch from your face or bowing to kiss your hand or promenading you around in a circle. haha! Very awkward. However, this is just how Mark works, so it pretty much doesn't even phase me anymore. He's just trying to get the point across. This morning, he was demonstrating again, and this time, I was led in a circle and propped upon his knee. Weird. He was just showing my Strephon (Brian) what to do, but it's still a strange moment when he does that stuff. Whatever. Tis show business. ;)
Home for the holidays in the morning. I will try to keep up on some posts while I'm at home...despit the dial-up connection...and finally with some pictures!...there has been too many words and not enough pretty photos to look at lately. I have a Christmas Eve mass to prepare music for, and caroling with my little sister and my dear friends Sandy and David. I love Christmas! :)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Kész!
Well, my semester is complete. My ethics final was this morning. I think it went okay. And then my voice jury was this afternoon. It went well, however, I am still in shock. The piece that was picked was just so random and not cool. I was so emotionally set to sing one of my big pieces, and what do they choose? I silly Purcell piece...strophic, one-page, and symmetrical phrasing. *Yawn* I am sort of let down, now. Not sure what to think. My last jury here, and it wasn't a slam-bang finish. I guess the recital in March will just have to do me more justice. ;)
Funniest part of the jury, though...at the end I hear Lynn say to Sharon (the professor that picked the Purcell for me), "Why didn't you pick the Mozart?" And Sharon replied, "Well, I figured it would be on the recital." Oh, geez! It is true that it will be on my recital...but an odd way to justify not choosing the beautiful Mozart. I looooove Mozart!! :)
Barb brought the adorable pair, Gretchen and Kate, to the conservatory before my jury, and I watched them when I was finished while Barb played for another student's jury.
I am no longer called into tonight's Iolanthe rehearsal now, so I'm a free bird tonight. Nothing till tomorrow evening when I will have rehearsal. I think tonight may hold dinner at Bryan and Katie's and playing Super Mario on Nintendo 64 (yes, that right...doing it old school!) at Q's.
Gratitude 148
I am happy my jury went well and that I got to play Play-Doh with Gretchen and Kate. Best part of chasing those two munchkins around the fishbowl (that's what we call the lobby of the conservatory) -- I didn't see a single person that walked by us that didn't crack a smile when they saw them giggling and bouncing around. I told Barb she should bring them around during finals week more often. :)
Funniest part of the jury, though...at the end I hear Lynn say to Sharon (the professor that picked the Purcell for me), "Why didn't you pick the Mozart?" And Sharon replied, "Well, I figured it would be on the recital." Oh, geez! It is true that it will be on my recital...but an odd way to justify not choosing the beautiful Mozart. I looooove Mozart!! :)
Barb brought the adorable pair, Gretchen and Kate, to the conservatory before my jury, and I watched them when I was finished while Barb played for another student's jury.
I am no longer called into tonight's Iolanthe rehearsal now, so I'm a free bird tonight. Nothing till tomorrow evening when I will have rehearsal. I think tonight may hold dinner at Bryan and Katie's and playing Super Mario on Nintendo 64 (yes, that right...doing it old school!) at Q's.
Gratitude 148
I am happy my jury went well and that I got to play Play-Doh with Gretchen and Kate. Best part of chasing those two munchkins around the fishbowl (that's what we call the lobby of the conservatory) -- I didn't see a single person that walked by us that didn't crack a smile when they saw them giggling and bouncing around. I told Barb she should bring them around during finals week more often. :)
Monday, December 14, 2009
AAHH! Life!
So...in the past three hours, life just compounded, and I am stressing out majorly. I had been so laid back in a "Whatever...it'll be fine." mode, and it was fantastic. And then reality hit me. Jury tomorrow...not feeling so together, which is very un-Samantha-like, and my voice doesn't seem to want to warm up entirely, which is a problem. And I'm going through one of those terrible I-hate-my-voice-and-everything-about-it stages, so that isn't helping matters. Ethics final...still have an outline to prepare for 8am. Pretty sure I'm over my texting limit this month on my phone...Dad's not going to be happy with me. Money...I hate it...causes me more stress. (I love the holidays, but they don't help the pocket book. Oh, being an adult!) Family...slightly irritating me currently. I need to stop all this stressing because I'm going to cause myself more gray hairs! Can tomorrow just be over, please? At about 4pm tomorrow, a few of those things will be a little better.
Despite the stressing, though, I have to find something to be thankful in it all, so...
Gratitude 147
I love Christmas lights. They are soooo pretty! :) And I made some delicious soup in my crock pot today. Yum!
Till tomorrow... Wish me some luck.
Despite the stressing, though, I have to find something to be thankful in it all, so...
Gratitude 147
I love Christmas lights. They are soooo pretty! :) And I made some delicious soup in my crock pot today. Yum!
Till tomorrow... Wish me some luck.
Gratitude 146
Ah! A cup of black cherry tea with Austrian Darbo honey in my Karácsonyi mug while watching White Christmas and Holiday Inn. Bliss. I love it!
Candle wax spilt all over my keyboard tonight. Fun times. Got most of it off but definitely messed up the end of the paneling. Lovely weekend otherwise, though.
Ridiculous adventure to the movies with an old friend that graduated a few years ago. Needless to say, traffic made it take an hour to get to a place less than 15 minutes away. Then, we couldn't find a parking spot, so we didn't end of seeing a movie. We went to a sweet little pizza joint downtown instead. Yum. Although, I need to stop eating so terribly. Ez nem jó.
The evening was filled with another adventure downtown (this time intentionally) to see a tribute concert to Mario Lanza by the opera. Awesome! Okay, so it had its ok moments, but Eduardo Villa, big Met tenor, was there singing. Ah! Fantastic...and HUGE...voice! It was incredible. Not often you have Met singers trapsing around Ohio like that.
Finals week. Not much I have to do, except loads of memorizing. Nothing all day tomorrow. Practice with Chad at some point tomorrow. And that memorizing thing. Maybe a trip to Trader Joe's. Who knows. Final on Tuesday...and my jury. Then just Iolanthe rehearsals...
Candle wax spilt all over my keyboard tonight. Fun times. Got most of it off but definitely messed up the end of the paneling. Lovely weekend otherwise, though.
Ridiculous adventure to the movies with an old friend that graduated a few years ago. Needless to say, traffic made it take an hour to get to a place less than 15 minutes away. Then, we couldn't find a parking spot, so we didn't end of seeing a movie. We went to a sweet little pizza joint downtown instead. Yum. Although, I need to stop eating so terribly. Ez nem jó.
The evening was filled with another adventure downtown (this time intentionally) to see a tribute concert to Mario Lanza by the opera. Awesome! Okay, so it had its ok moments, but Eduardo Villa, big Met tenor, was there singing. Ah! Fantastic...and HUGE...voice! It was incredible. Not often you have Met singers trapsing around Ohio like that.
Finals week. Not much I have to do, except loads of memorizing. Nothing all day tomorrow. Practice with Chad at some point tomorrow. And that memorizing thing. Maybe a trip to Trader Joe's. Who knows. Final on Tuesday...and my jury. Then just Iolanthe rehearsals...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Gratitude 145
Tonight, I got to hear my dear Katie sing with the conservatory symphonic band. She was beautiful. Dress, hair, bling, voice. Plus, I sat next to the lovely Lynn during the concert. (I love her commentary and conversations with her!) Both of which made me smile lots. :) I'd be lying if I didn't admit I was somewhat jealous of Katie this evening, wishing I was singing with her...and wearing that gorgeous sapphire dress! Nonetheless, I am proud of her, and I know Lynn and I were living vicariously through her this evening, soaking in the beauty. (Although, Lynn has no need to live vicariously through anyone...she's freaking amazing and is always dropping names and random stories of singing here or there or with this person or that! haha!) Brava, Diva!
Plus, Bryan had some yummy clementines sitting on his kitchen counter, and he gave me a few. :)
Classes complete for this semester. Today was a day of craziness! 10am to 6pm nearly nonstop. Intense. Plus, it didn't help that I kept getting light-headed for some reason. Fun times. Sang on a voice recital presentation for perspective students this afternoon. (Last day of classes in the fall is also the conservatory open house day...poor planning if you ask me.) Ended up making up some German in my art song. Fantastic. haha! No one noticed. Then, on the fly, Lynn asked me to speak about Hungary and sing a Hungarian piece, too. That was...special. I hate public speaking...esp. when I have not previously planned out what I'm going to say. I said things like, "The Hungarian program...well, in Hungary," and mixing up how to say names. Lovely. So smooth. Oh, Samantha! I'm sure it wasn't as awful as it seemed while I was in the spotlight, and I added some laughs to the atmosphere.
Fun packages in the mail today. And I cut my finger on a door in the conservatory. :( Lynn saved it from amputation, though, by coming to the rescue with a bandaid and neosporin. She's like my musical mommy. haha!
Iolanthe rehearsals are a rollercoaster right now. Monday went well, Wednesday a mess, and today fine. It'll get there, and I am sure I am just overthinking and stressing over it all. Found gray hair #3 the other day...the effects of stress are clearly present.
Not really stressing much at all right now. I've been pretty cool most of the week, I think. All that is left for my semester is 1 exam for ethics and my voice jury on Tuesday, and Iolanthe rehearsals Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Home for the holidays on Friday.
I did not make it to Rob Bell. :( However, tomorrow night, I am going downtown to a Mario Lanza tribute concert, and apparently 2 of the 3 big singers singing are Met singers. Awesome! I really need to go to New York!
Plus, Bryan had some yummy clementines sitting on his kitchen counter, and he gave me a few. :)
Classes complete for this semester. Today was a day of craziness! 10am to 6pm nearly nonstop. Intense. Plus, it didn't help that I kept getting light-headed for some reason. Fun times. Sang on a voice recital presentation for perspective students this afternoon. (Last day of classes in the fall is also the conservatory open house day...poor planning if you ask me.) Ended up making up some German in my art song. Fantastic. haha! No one noticed. Then, on the fly, Lynn asked me to speak about Hungary and sing a Hungarian piece, too. That was...special. I hate public speaking...esp. when I have not previously planned out what I'm going to say. I said things like, "The Hungarian program...well, in Hungary," and mixing up how to say names. Lovely. So smooth. Oh, Samantha! I'm sure it wasn't as awful as it seemed while I was in the spotlight, and I added some laughs to the atmosphere.
Fun packages in the mail today. And I cut my finger on a door in the conservatory. :( Lynn saved it from amputation, though, by coming to the rescue with a bandaid and neosporin. She's like my musical mommy. haha!
Iolanthe rehearsals are a rollercoaster right now. Monday went well, Wednesday a mess, and today fine. It'll get there, and I am sure I am just overthinking and stressing over it all. Found gray hair #3 the other day...the effects of stress are clearly present.
Not really stressing much at all right now. I've been pretty cool most of the week, I think. All that is left for my semester is 1 exam for ethics and my voice jury on Tuesday, and Iolanthe rehearsals Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Home for the holidays on Friday.
I did not make it to Rob Bell. :( However, tomorrow night, I am going downtown to a Mario Lanza tribute concert, and apparently 2 of the 3 big singers singing are Met singers. Awesome! I really need to go to New York!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Gratitude 144
I love The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry. I have read it various times, and each time, it means something different to me.
A few of my favorite quotes from within the bounds of this delightful little book:
"Grown up were once children - although few of them remember it."
“When he lights his street lamp, it is as if he brought one more star to life, or one flower. When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.
That is a beautiful occupation. And since it is beautiful, it is truly useful.”
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible
to the eye.”
"That is the hardest thing of all. It is much harder to judge yourself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself, it's because you're truly a wise man."
"It is such a secret place, the land of tears."
"People have stars, but they aren't the same. For travelers, the stars are guides.
For other people, they're nothing but tiny lights. And for still others, for scholars, they're problems. For my businessman, they were gold. But all those stars are silent stars. You, though, you'll have stars like nobody else.""'Men,' said the little prince, 'set out on their way in express trains, but they do not know what they are looking for. Then they rush about, and get excited, and turn round and round...it is not worth the trouble...'"
"But I, alas, do not know how to see sheep through the walls of boxes. Perhaps I am a little like the grown-ups. I have had to grow old."
"What is important is invisible."
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Lucky.
My final Christmas Festival concert has sung all the notes it has. It's been long, fun, stressful, annoying, exciting, exhausting. In short, though, I am glad it is over. It was good while it lasted. I don't really get choked up over choir stuff, either. Maybe I'm weird. It just never struck a harmonious chord with me. The aesthetic is lovely; the me singing in a choir, frustrating.
As with every year, the seniors give the devotions preceding the final concert, sharing memories of choir from the past four years. Some funny, some sad, some touching, some that make you think. My dear friend Haley gave us one of those that make you think.
Gratitude 143
Before heading to our six-hour dress rehearsal on Wednesday, Haley posted on her facebook that she was off to a very looooong rehearsal. When she got home, she received a comment posted beneath her post from a friend currently serving in a very dangerous part of the Middle East. It was one word. "Lucky." She said it made her cry, realizing that she was complaining about having to do something she didn't care to do, like sit through six hours of rehearsal, when one of her best friends was fighting for his life and ours, confronting the fearful face of death on a daily basis. We are lucky. All the silly, trivial things in our lives that we think are so awful, the stupid things we don't want to do that we complain about having to do. Are they really that bad? Was it that terrible to get to sing for six hours? We may not have wanted to be there for that long, but we are privileged beyond anything we know. It doesn't mean that our struggles or complaints are then unjustifiable. Rather, it is knowing that there are far more terrible things that could be, and we must humbly accept our own small challenges as we face life.
Of course, I had to follow her in the line of devotions. I added a little comic relief, I suppose, with my story: We were rehearsing in the hall for a concert our sophomore year, and Dr. Hasseler kept moving us into different configurations for one of the songs. At one point, the sopranos ended up on the steps up the stage, completely obliterated by the glass paneling in front of the steps. Haley and I looked at each other and said, "Well, this is going to be a problem." Haley replied with, "Yeah, it's like we're in a zoo. 'Don't tap on the glass! It'll scare the sopranos!'" haha! Oh, the moments of hilarity Haley and I share! Love it! :)
Dinner and drinks with Bryan's family at The Monk following the concert. Delicious! And some crazy laughs! ;) They are too sweet. Got to see Uncle Mick, too (Bryan's opera-buff uncle). He just makes me smile. :) ...And Dr. Hasseler was at the restaurant, too...
Now, it is back to the weekly grind. Last week of classes. Lots to get done before exam week, and even exam week is filled with lots to do. Intense opera rehearsal are imminent. Tons of music to memorize. Lesson tomorrow. Hopefully that goes better than this past week. ugh. That was nem jó. Voice is in a weird place right now since being sick. All will be well. And I'm pretty damn lucky to get to sing and study what I do. :)
Rob Bell at the Palace Theatre this Thursday night. Really want to go!!
As with every year, the seniors give the devotions preceding the final concert, sharing memories of choir from the past four years. Some funny, some sad, some touching, some that make you think. My dear friend Haley gave us one of those that make you think.
Gratitude 143
Before heading to our six-hour dress rehearsal on Wednesday, Haley posted on her facebook that she was off to a very looooong rehearsal. When she got home, she received a comment posted beneath her post from a friend currently serving in a very dangerous part of the Middle East. It was one word. "Lucky." She said it made her cry, realizing that she was complaining about having to do something she didn't care to do, like sit through six hours of rehearsal, when one of her best friends was fighting for his life and ours, confronting the fearful face of death on a daily basis. We are lucky. All the silly, trivial things in our lives that we think are so awful, the stupid things we don't want to do that we complain about having to do. Are they really that bad? Was it that terrible to get to sing for six hours? We may not have wanted to be there for that long, but we are privileged beyond anything we know. It doesn't mean that our struggles or complaints are then unjustifiable. Rather, it is knowing that there are far more terrible things that could be, and we must humbly accept our own small challenges as we face life.
Of course, I had to follow her in the line of devotions. I added a little comic relief, I suppose, with my story: We were rehearsing in the hall for a concert our sophomore year, and Dr. Hasseler kept moving us into different configurations for one of the songs. At one point, the sopranos ended up on the steps up the stage, completely obliterated by the glass paneling in front of the steps. Haley and I looked at each other and said, "Well, this is going to be a problem." Haley replied with, "Yeah, it's like we're in a zoo. 'Don't tap on the glass! It'll scare the sopranos!'" haha! Oh, the moments of hilarity Haley and I share! Love it! :)
Dinner and drinks with Bryan's family at The Monk following the concert. Delicious! And some crazy laughs! ;) They are too sweet. Got to see Uncle Mick, too (Bryan's opera-buff uncle). He just makes me smile. :) ...And Dr. Hasseler was at the restaurant, too...
Now, it is back to the weekly grind. Last week of classes. Lots to get done before exam week, and even exam week is filled with lots to do. Intense opera rehearsal are imminent. Tons of music to memorize. Lesson tomorrow. Hopefully that goes better than this past week. ugh. That was nem jó. Voice is in a weird place right now since being sick. All will be well. And I'm pretty damn lucky to get to sing and study what I do. :)
Rob Bell at the Palace Theatre this Thursday night. Really want to go!!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Take 3
Christmas Festival concert #3 complete and successful. Peppermint Stick ice cream from Graeter's afterward! Yum!
Gratitude 142
I came back to find this in the news lines on my computer. Adorable! And hilarious!
Today was a day in my comfy, plush polka-dot pjs till it was time for me to actually start getting ready for our call time. Sarah showed up with Chipotle for lunch, and we sat and chatted for awhile. It turned into a mini diva time...as our time together always does! hehe! ;)
Gratitude 142
I came back to find this in the news lines on my computer. Adorable! And hilarious!
Today was a day in my comfy, plush polka-dot pjs till it was time for me to actually start getting ready for our call time. Sarah showed up with Chipotle for lunch, and we sat and chatted for awhile. It turned into a mini diva time...as our time together always does! hehe! ;)
Christmas Festival: Take 2
After a ridiculous week of rehearsals, including a 6-hour dress rehearsal Wednesday night, two Christmas Festival choir concerts down...two to go. I think tonight went quite well. I had the solo in one of the closing traditional pieces tonight. I was worried about it because it was at the end of a two-hour concert, but all was well. And I had my dears Rachel and Haley beside me. :)
I meant to post last night, but I had German homework to finish before bedtime. Thus, I have two gratitudes to post.
Gratitude 140
My mom and aunt came tonight, and my mom gave me a pretty new pashmina! :D Love it! However, first she handed me a bag of cheese. Cool, but unexpected. (Both came from a sweet country store we pass en route from home and the university.)
Gratitude 141
Last night in the middle of the concert while I was trying to summon the energy reserves in my tired body, I was observing Lynn conducting one of the transitioning carols (when groups change stage, it is all choreographed with walking patterns and Christmas carols with audience participation...it's a science). She looked gorgeous. Her hair, her outfit, her smile, everything was purely beautiful. It was in that moment as I felt drained and exhausted that I was reminded of her life, past and present, and how she has been so strong even when she was spiritually, emotional, mentally, and/or physically tired. It's because of Mama Roseberry (her mom). Her mom was also one of the sweetest people I ever met...and incredibly strong. Lynn is a reflection of her mother. What this gratitude really means, though, is what Mama Roseberry taught Lynn...and all whose lives she touched. Life is precious, and you must live it to the fullest. You mustn't let a moment slip by untouched, and blessings are to be continually counted. She was a wise woman with a heart of gold who is dearly missed, but she lives on in our hearts. I don't know if this gratitude portrays what I meant to say, but hopefully, it makes some sense...it is rather difficult, I find, to explain a feeling. It's like an untranslatable phrase in any given language...words don't always make sense.
Icing my ankle...it's killing me...something has to be seriously wrong with it...although people in the ER a few months ago just dismissed it as a whatever. Then to bed...two more of those concerts to go...and then hard core opera rehearsals, exams, and voice jury to prep for.
I meant to post last night, but I had German homework to finish before bedtime. Thus, I have two gratitudes to post.
Gratitude 140
My mom and aunt came tonight, and my mom gave me a pretty new pashmina! :D Love it! However, first she handed me a bag of cheese. Cool, but unexpected. (Both came from a sweet country store we pass en route from home and the university.)
Gratitude 141
Last night in the middle of the concert while I was trying to summon the energy reserves in my tired body, I was observing Lynn conducting one of the transitioning carols (when groups change stage, it is all choreographed with walking patterns and Christmas carols with audience participation...it's a science). She looked gorgeous. Her hair, her outfit, her smile, everything was purely beautiful. It was in that moment as I felt drained and exhausted that I was reminded of her life, past and present, and how she has been so strong even when she was spiritually, emotional, mentally, and/or physically tired. It's because of Mama Roseberry (her mom). Her mom was also one of the sweetest people I ever met...and incredibly strong. Lynn is a reflection of her mother. What this gratitude really means, though, is what Mama Roseberry taught Lynn...and all whose lives she touched. Life is precious, and you must live it to the fullest. You mustn't let a moment slip by untouched, and blessings are to be continually counted. She was a wise woman with a heart of gold who is dearly missed, but she lives on in our hearts. I don't know if this gratitude portrays what I meant to say, but hopefully, it makes some sense...it is rather difficult, I find, to explain a feeling. It's like an untranslatable phrase in any given language...words don't always make sense.
Icing my ankle...it's killing me...something has to be seriously wrong with it...although people in the ER a few months ago just dismissed it as a whatever. Then to bed...two more of those concerts to go...and then hard core opera rehearsals, exams, and voice jury to prep for.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Gratitude 139
I love the stars in the winter. I guess that is a little premature to say because there isn't any snow yet, and winter solstice hasn't occurred. Maybe it's the cold air that makes them glitter so brightly. Whatever it is, they just seem to sparkle more in the winter. :)
I ought to be sleeping, but I was waiting to put a load of laundry in the washer. Cute new pants, skirt, and two gorgeous necklaces from a trip to a little thrift store with my sister yesterday. And most had tags still attached! We got some great deals. It's amazing what you can find sometimes.
Saw an old friend, Sue, today. She is the wife of the director from the community theatre I did a lot of work with while in high school. They helped me make my biggest leap into the idea of a singing career, performing, to name just a few, Maria in Sound of Music, dinner theatres, learned the ropes on lighting and sound with the amazing Chris and "Superman" Steve, and lots of other odds and end little singing blurbs. Sweet people. It was nice to catch up a bit with her.
Back to the apartment tomorrow. Christmas Festival week ahead...Lord, please help me through this one! Oy! It's going to be a looong, stressful week. Still have German, choir, lesson work, and Iolanthe prep to do when I get back into town, so that I am ready for another monstrous Monday. (Things I sort of neglected to touch over the holiday...Samantha desperately needed a break, though!) It will be done! Somehow...
I ought to be sleeping, but I was waiting to put a load of laundry in the washer. Cute new pants, skirt, and two gorgeous necklaces from a trip to a little thrift store with my sister yesterday. And most had tags still attached! We got some great deals. It's amazing what you can find sometimes.
Saw an old friend, Sue, today. She is the wife of the director from the community theatre I did a lot of work with while in high school. They helped me make my biggest leap into the idea of a singing career, performing, to name just a few, Maria in Sound of Music, dinner theatres, learned the ropes on lighting and sound with the amazing Chris and "Superman" Steve, and lots of other odds and end little singing blurbs. Sweet people. It was nice to catch up a bit with her.
Back to the apartment tomorrow. Christmas Festival week ahead...Lord, please help me through this one! Oy! It's going to be a looong, stressful week. Still have German, choir, lesson work, and Iolanthe prep to do when I get back into town, so that I am ready for another monstrous Monday. (Things I sort of neglected to touch over the holiday...Samantha desperately needed a break, though!) It will be done! Somehow...
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Turkey Day!
Gratitude 138
I have been reading David's brilliant book whenever I get a moment, and I love this one paragraph in particular because it just epitomizes so many things I have always contemplated:
I have been reading David's brilliant book whenever I get a moment, and I love this one paragraph in particular because it just epitomizes so many things I have always contemplated:
"It is difficult for an individual to understand how God could know all that has happened and all that ever will happen. This difficulty arises from the fact that man must base his knowledge within the confines of time, but God is outside of time. He created time for us. God knew the consequences of each and every action he took before he ever made a single move. He knew that Lucifer would rebel. He knew that man would fall, and he knew that Christ would die to save his creation." (Simply Put, pg 30)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Gratitude 137
Grilled cheese: the only thing American cheese is good for. :)
Home. Apparently, it's a sinus infection. Joyous. Just got some antibiotics, so hopefully it skidoodles from my system pronto!
Also...exciting news! My friend David just got his book published. It's been quite a process for him, and it is finally happening. While he was going through the process, I got to offer my thoughts on the cover design, etc. Pretty cool. When I came home, my mom gave me a signed copy he had dropped off for me. How sweet of him! I am really excited to read it. And pretty sure it is going to be fantastic! :) Congrats, David! I think it would be super sweet to write and have a book published. Someday perhaps...
Home. Apparently, it's a sinus infection. Joyous. Just got some antibiotics, so hopefully it skidoodles from my system pronto!
Also...exciting news! My friend David just got his book published. It's been quite a process for him, and it is finally happening. While he was going through the process, I got to offer my thoughts on the cover design, etc. Pretty cool. When I came home, my mom gave me a signed copy he had dropped off for me. How sweet of him! I am really excited to read it. And pretty sure it is going to be fantastic! :) Congrats, David! I think it would be super sweet to write and have a book published. Someday perhaps...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Succomb
Well, this dreaded cold has engulfed my voice. Csodás. Wonderful. I guess you can't win all battles, and even the pros get sick. Being human. Thankfully, I will have a short holiday to recover, so I can return in tiptop shape on Monday. Timing actually was pretty good...could have avoided yesterday, but nothing's perfect. Viszga szoprán hang kérem. Soprano voice please return soon.
Home tonight for Thanksgiving break. This holiday feels sort of weird simply because I wasn't here for Thanksgiving last year. I don't really know why. It isn't that strange. Just different...like I skipped a year. Looking forward to yummy food, cranberry slushies, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! :)
Gratitude 136
I am thankful for acidophilus and Emergen-C. Even though I still feel yucky, it is helping a little bit.
Home tonight for Thanksgiving break. This holiday feels sort of weird simply because I wasn't here for Thanksgiving last year. I don't really know why. It isn't that strange. Just different...like I skipped a year. Looking forward to yummy food, cranberry slushies, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! :)
Gratitude 136
I am thankful for acidophilus and Emergen-C. Even though I still feel yucky, it is helping a little bit.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, Monday...
Miserable failure at conquering Monday. Ugh. Unfortunately, this illness cloud loomed closer. :( I woke up feeling somewhat better after taking Nyquil last night and zonking out. However, by noon, I was dying. Feeling dreadful, I knew the day was heading downhill. My lesson lasted all of ten minutes, and then Lynn shooed me away because the voice was quickly fading. Lovely. Frustrated because I know there won't be time for me to get that hour in the studio back because she has three days of lessons to reschedule because of Thanksgiving break.
Terrible German exam because I didn't get enough study time in. Ugh. Only listened during choir. Snuck a short rest in before rehearsal. Iolanthe...nem jó, nem jó. I was not on top of my game plus barely hanging in there vocally equalled Samantha not showing that she really does know the music. I do know the whole Act 1 finale, minus the last couple pages. I've been working so hard. I'm just upset. It's a little more complicated than that, but it will all be fine.
Made it through the day barely, still feel like crap, and want more than anything just to feel peppy and SING! I love that new place in my voice that Lynn and I discovered last week, and I just want it back and to use it forever!
Have to end on a happy note, though, so...
Gratitude 135
I am thankful for sweet friends who catch you when you are crying and hold you up while you pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and keep on going. :) Thank you, Katie!
Terrible German exam because I didn't get enough study time in. Ugh. Only listened during choir. Snuck a short rest in before rehearsal. Iolanthe...nem jó, nem jó. I was not on top of my game plus barely hanging in there vocally equalled Samantha not showing that she really does know the music. I do know the whole Act 1 finale, minus the last couple pages. I've been working so hard. I'm just upset. It's a little more complicated than that, but it will all be fine.
Made it through the day barely, still feel like crap, and want more than anything just to feel peppy and SING! I love that new place in my voice that Lynn and I discovered last week, and I just want it back and to use it forever!
Have to end on a happy note, though, so...
Gratitude 135
I am thankful for sweet friends who catch you when you are crying and hold you up while you pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and keep on going. :) Thank you, Katie!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Beteg vagyok. :(
Getting sick! Not allowed! I feel like pooh pooh. Voice is compromised. :( SAI weekend of craziness complete! So much sugar! On a happy note...
Gratitude 134
My 10-page vocal pedagogy paper: kész! Done! Yay! :) Actually wasn't that bad...till the end when I had exhausted all of my resources! Vibrato is quite interesting, and there were some interesting and absurd things said about it over the centuries.
Tomorrow may slightly kill me. Because it looks something like this:
Oy! Desperately need my voice to be back in tiptop shape in the morning! (I know...even the pros get sick...it's human nature...just makes life more difficult, though!) Praying and hoping for the best!
Oh! and other cool news...Agi, the Hungarian teacher nearby that helped me finish up my language evaluation for my Fulbright application (not my Hungarian teacher in Hungary...that one is pregnant with twins!), is having a Hungarian music recital for the culture class she teaches, and she has invited me to sing! Yay! However, it is March 2nd...over my spring break. Not sure how I'm going to work that out yet, but I will. I will have to spend most of break here anyway probably since my senior recital is merely 3 short weeks following! Eek! :)
Gratitude 134
My 10-page vocal pedagogy paper: kész! Done! Yay! :) Actually wasn't that bad...till the end when I had exhausted all of my resources! Vibrato is quite interesting, and there were some interesting and absurd things said about it over the centuries.
Tomorrow may slightly kill me. Because it looks something like this:
10am - soprano sectional for choir
11am - class...paper due that still needs writing tonight
12noon - voice lesson
1pm - German class...exam that still needs studying for tonight
2pm - choir
3pm - snack (aka lunch) and preparing for Iolanthe rehearsal
4-6pm - Iolanthe rehearsal...Act 1 finale...it's a doozy!
6:30-8:30 - combined choir rehearsal for Christmas Festival
8:30 - food and keeling over
Oy! Desperately need my voice to be back in tiptop shape in the morning! (I know...even the pros get sick...it's human nature...just makes life more difficult, though!) Praying and hoping for the best!
Oh! and other cool news...Agi, the Hungarian teacher nearby that helped me finish up my language evaluation for my Fulbright application (not my Hungarian teacher in Hungary...that one is pregnant with twins!), is having a Hungarian music recital for the culture class she teaches, and she has invited me to sing! Yay! However, it is March 2nd...over my spring break. Not sure how I'm going to work that out yet, but I will. I will have to spend most of break here anyway probably since my senior recital is merely 3 short weeks following! Eek! :)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Gratitude 133
I just watched Anastasia, the animated version. :) Love it! I remember I was in I think 3rd grade when that movie came out, and I went to see it at the cinema with Aunt Donna. When Anya is deciding which direction to go on the road, a little girl screamed, "Look Mommy, SNOW!!!" haha! Adorable!
Made mashed potatoes from scratch while I watched for the SAI Thanksgiving dinner tonight. Yum! And I love me some good Irish butter to boot! Big Band Show at the conservatory following dinner. SAI intitiation and province officer visit tomorrow. I need an extra Saturday, so I can have one to do all of my homework.
Now for that vocal pedagogy paper on vibrato...nearly a half page down! Woohoo! ...only 9 1/2 more to go! Oy! ;)
Made mashed potatoes from scratch while I watched for the SAI Thanksgiving dinner tonight. Yum! And I love me some good Irish butter to boot! Big Band Show at the conservatory following dinner. SAI intitiation and province officer visit tomorrow. I need an extra Saturday, so I can have one to do all of my homework.
Now for that vocal pedagogy paper on vibrato...nearly a half page down! Woohoo! ...only 9 1/2 more to go! Oy! ;)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Gratitude 132
I am thankful for Midol. I know, you guys out there reading this are thinking, "Ewww! I don't wanna know about that stuff!!" I know that's what you're thinking, Dad...comes with the territory of having three girls. haha! ;) Seriously, though, without that stuff, life at particular times would be far worse. So, guys, I say deal with it!
First Iolanthe rehearsal was this afternoon. I think it went pretty well. I didn't have much of my singing tonight...a lot coming on Monday...Act 1 finale...but I feel like I am really getting a hang of it all. Still lots more work to do, but it should be fun. Phyllis suits me, and it is comfortable to sing. :) And I sooo hope I get a Little Bo Peep costume! Eek! haha!
First Iolanthe rehearsal was this afternoon. I think it went pretty well. I didn't have much of my singing tonight...a lot coming on Monday...Act 1 finale...but I feel like I am really getting a hang of it all. Still lots more work to do, but it should be fun. Phyllis suits me, and it is comfortable to sing. :) And I sooo hope I get a Little Bo Peep costume! Eek! haha!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Gratitude 131
Around the new fountain on campus, they have neatly wrapped the bare trees in white twinkle lights for the holidays. I saw them doing it yesterday, and today, they lit them! They are so pretty! Just makes me happy. Some people keep saying that it is too early...a week before Thanksgiving...maybe slightly early, but that's not too awful. The ones on the trees in front of the art gallery across the street from my flat have been lit for weeks. And they are white, so they can stay all year! hehe! :)
Also, it is getting cold! That means....snow and winter! I know that sounds absurd to be excited about, but I love snow and getting all cozied up. Gemütlich ...one of my favorite German words. It is one of those words that doesn't have an exact translation...it's that fuzzy feeling when you are all cozy. :)
Also, it is getting cold! That means....snow and winter! I know that sounds absurd to be excited about, but I love snow and getting all cozied up. Gemütlich ...one of my favorite German words. It is one of those words that doesn't have an exact translation...it's that fuzzy feeling when you are all cozy. :)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
In the spirit of Thanksgiving...
...I am going to try to post a gratitude everyday till Turkey Day. I'll do my best to keep up!
Gratitude 130
I love waking up to the fresh aromas and flavors of a clementine! Mmm! :) A few moments of paradise away from the troubles and chaos of the day that I know is to come. Perfect start to a day! Also makes me think of Christmas/winter holiday seasons. :) Now, where is the blasted snow?!?! It is far too warm here!
Gratitude 130
I love waking up to the fresh aromas and flavors of a clementine! Mmm! :) A few moments of paradise away from the troubles and chaos of the day that I know is to come. Perfect start to a day! Also makes me think of Christmas/winter holiday seasons. :) Now, where is the blasted snow?!?! It is far too warm here!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Gratitude 129
I am thankful for the amazing new thing in my sound that Lynn and I discovered in my lesson yesterday. I don't really know what it is or how to describe it, but it is awesome and feels so cool! It's HUGE! And the heaviness is dissipating. Reminds me of something János once said to me:
János is brilliant. Lynn is spectacular. She is such a darling. I love them both and am so thankful for the time I have had with both of them (and the time to come!). :)
Now off to more homework...another late night...vocal pedagogy voice lesson has been recorded, though, so one more thing off my list to do before Thanksgiving holiday! (Also, choir = evil bane of my existence...Christmas Festival is not so "festive" feeling when you are in it!)
Singing, the feeling inside when you are singing...enjoy it...remember that feeling...because the sound that results from this feeling is you...if feels good because this sound is you. Singing is who you are. No one else can make that sound for you. It is your own. Use it. Embrace it. Share it. (paraphrased version, of course)
János is brilliant. Lynn is spectacular. She is such a darling. I love them both and am so thankful for the time I have had with both of them (and the time to come!). :)
Now off to more homework...another late night...vocal pedagogy voice lesson has been recorded, though, so one more thing off my list to do before Thanksgiving holiday! (Also, choir = evil bane of my existence...Christmas Festival is not so "festive" feeling when you are in it!)
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Best Diva Night Yet!
Gratitude 128
Last night, I had a lovely evening with Sarah. Definitely topped the last diva night. It also happened to be the Artwalk through the galleries surrounding my flat, which made it all the more fabulous. Lots of people out and about, art galore, pretty clothes, and then cooking dinner and sitting on the terrace for hours people-watching and chatting. :) Ridiculously, we stayed up till 3am talking, though! It was the perfect evening after a dreadful and painfully long day that never seemed to end on Friday...
After a morning of thoroughly cleaning the apartment, I watched Casablanca. All I have to say: one of the greatest masterpieces in film. Ever. It was brilliant!
My friend Miriam came over later in the afternoon, and we made the most hideous and amusing "Bradley Fan Club" t-shirts for his bassoon recital. They are pretty tragic but will serve their purpose well. haha!
It has a been a very pleasant weekend with some relaxation and time to myself. However, I am pretty sure that I will be a frantic mess tomorrow because there are really a million things I should be doing this evening. Jaj! I need a holiday! So much work is due before Thanksgiving break...every day holds assignments...including a 10-page research paper. a 2-page ethics paper, teach and record a 30-minute voice lesson, and enough memorization to fry my brains out! I wish I was not so dreadfully awful at memorizing. :(
Iolanthe music rehearsals begin Friday! eek! Let the madness begin! muahaha! ;)
Also, I have completed my final registration for undergraduate classes! One more semester. I have completed all of my music courses except for lessons, so I almost anything else I'd like is fair game as long as it fits into my available time slots. I am taking a poetry class and am super excited about it. It will be so influential in analyzing art song texts. (Hopefully, they won't disappoint me excitement.) I also want to take fencing. (Yes, that is for real...they are offering a fencing class next semester. I think it'd be so cool!) I registered for it, but I have been told I have to buy my own equipment, which will be probably at least $100 for a silly hobby one hour a week for a few months. :( A penny for your thoughts in my comment box?
Last night, I had a lovely evening with Sarah. Definitely topped the last diva night. It also happened to be the Artwalk through the galleries surrounding my flat, which made it all the more fabulous. Lots of people out and about, art galore, pretty clothes, and then cooking dinner and sitting on the terrace for hours people-watching and chatting. :) Ridiculously, we stayed up till 3am talking, though! It was the perfect evening after a dreadful and painfully long day that never seemed to end on Friday...
After a morning of thoroughly cleaning the apartment, I watched Casablanca. All I have to say: one of the greatest masterpieces in film. Ever. It was brilliant!
My friend Miriam came over later in the afternoon, and we made the most hideous and amusing "Bradley Fan Club" t-shirts for his bassoon recital. They are pretty tragic but will serve their purpose well. haha!
It has a been a very pleasant weekend with some relaxation and time to myself. However, I am pretty sure that I will be a frantic mess tomorrow because there are really a million things I should be doing this evening. Jaj! I need a holiday! So much work is due before Thanksgiving break...every day holds assignments...including a 10-page research paper. a 2-page ethics paper, teach and record a 30-minute voice lesson, and enough memorization to fry my brains out! I wish I was not so dreadfully awful at memorizing. :(
Iolanthe music rehearsals begin Friday! eek! Let the madness begin! muahaha! ;)
Also, I have completed my final registration for undergraduate classes! One more semester. I have completed all of my music courses except for lessons, so I almost anything else I'd like is fair game as long as it fits into my available time slots. I am taking a poetry class and am super excited about it. It will be so influential in analyzing art song texts. (Hopefully, they won't disappoint me excitement.) I also want to take fencing. (Yes, that is for real...they are offering a fencing class next semester. I think it'd be so cool!) I registered for it, but I have been told I have to buy my own equipment, which will be probably at least $100 for a silly hobby one hour a week for a few months. :( A penny for your thoughts in my comment box?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Gratitude 127
This evening, I was practicing at the conservatory (typically, I just practice at my flat), and I decided to go to the practice rooms in the basement, oddly, instead of one of the theory rooms. I discovered something sweet with my high notes and was playing around with the new idea with the high 'D' excerpt from "Willow Song," a Baby Doe aria I worked on a couple of years ago (I sang a few too many of them tonight, though! Bring on the water! haha!), when a heard a knock on my practice room door. His name was Vince, a music tech major, whom I had never met before, and he just wanted to say how great the sounds were that he heard drifting down the hall from my room. I've been struggling a lot lately with my voice, its consistency, and my confidence as a musician. And I know to be humble, I mustn't boast about such lovely compliments, but I had to say that in his sincerity and unexpectedness, I felt the Presence that has seemed somewhat distant in my life as of late. It made me sincerely smile (something that also has not been happening often enough lately, either). Thank you, anonymous Vince. :)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Gratitude 126
I love enjoying a glass of wine while sharing chats and laughter with friends. :)
Young Frankenstein on Wednesday was pretty awesome. Shuler=sheer brilliance! He is so good! The show is just so quirky and funny...quite racy, though! We had dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse before the show, too. :)
The rest of the week was pretty stressful. Life just dishes out challenges and rough patches sometimes...and I suppose I am stumbling through an entanglement of them currently. All will be well, though. As the lyrics of a song I recently heard on my Pandora (P.S. I am loving the Pandora!):
I made it through Friday...barely! Lynn made me smile, though...with her diva witch cape and hat that she wore in celebration of Halloween! haha! I had a fairly brilliant lesson, too...but that was about the only highlight of the school hours. Then, it was costume party at my friend Carolyn's with some friends that graduated a year or two ago. I was rocking out the '80s...tights, cuffed jean jacket, big hair (with lots of hairspray!) pinned back on one side, bangles, etc. haha! Pretty sweet. It was a lot of fun.
Today was a lazy day...in my sweats all day watching movies. Wonderful! I've needed it. Tomorrow about the same except for rehearsal with Chad for my lesson on Monday and SAI meeting in the evening.
Q and Tracy popped over this evening, and we wrapped ourselves in some foil and headed over to Chipotle for free burritos. Mmm! However, I looked like a mess (or, I guess, a stereotypical American college student) dressed the way I had been laying around the flat all day and then with a tin foil Peter Pan hat on my head. Oh, well. It was worth it.
Also, I just have to add...I am freaking in love with this art song business! If all I sang for the rest of my life was art song, Mozart, and some Bel canto mixed in there, I would be totally content. Right now, I am immersed in pieces from Schumann's Eichendorff-Liederkreis. Sheer brilliance. :) Definite recital material!
This coming week holds who knows what. Actually, I yet again feel like I am forgetting something of high importance. Not a clue what it is, but I suppose I will find out eventually...hopefully in due time to do whatever it is! Home next weekend for another wedding...not looking forward to this one...it's honestly a huge inconvenience right now...and I will only be home for about a day and a half in reality. ugh. Oh, well. János would tell me to "survive it." haha! (I miss Hungary/Europe desperately! Soon...)
And just because...I'm adding in an extra gratitude to this post:
Gratitude 127
This commercial cracks me up every time I see it! haha! :)
Young Frankenstein on Wednesday was pretty awesome. Shuler=sheer brilliance! He is so good! The show is just so quirky and funny...quite racy, though! We had dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse before the show, too. :)
The rest of the week was pretty stressful. Life just dishes out challenges and rough patches sometimes...and I suppose I am stumbling through an entanglement of them currently. All will be well, though. As the lyrics of a song I recently heard on my Pandora (P.S. I am loving the Pandora!):
"...the winter's cold, but the snow still lightly settles on the trees. And a
mess is still a moment I can seize until I know...that all will be will. Even
though sometimes this is hard to tell, and the fight is just as frustrating as
hell...all will be well..."
I made it through Friday...barely! Lynn made me smile, though...with her diva witch cape and hat that she wore in celebration of Halloween! haha! I had a fairly brilliant lesson, too...but that was about the only highlight of the school hours. Then, it was costume party at my friend Carolyn's with some friends that graduated a year or two ago. I was rocking out the '80s...tights, cuffed jean jacket, big hair (with lots of hairspray!) pinned back on one side, bangles, etc. haha! Pretty sweet. It was a lot of fun.
Today was a lazy day...in my sweats all day watching movies. Wonderful! I've needed it. Tomorrow about the same except for rehearsal with Chad for my lesson on Monday and SAI meeting in the evening.
Q and Tracy popped over this evening, and we wrapped ourselves in some foil and headed over to Chipotle for free burritos. Mmm! However, I looked like a mess (or, I guess, a stereotypical American college student) dressed the way I had been laying around the flat all day and then with a tin foil Peter Pan hat on my head. Oh, well. It was worth it.
Also, I just have to add...I am freaking in love with this art song business! If all I sang for the rest of my life was art song, Mozart, and some Bel canto mixed in there, I would be totally content. Right now, I am immersed in pieces from Schumann's Eichendorff-Liederkreis. Sheer brilliance. :) Definite recital material!
This coming week holds who knows what. Actually, I yet again feel like I am forgetting something of high importance. Not a clue what it is, but I suppose I will find out eventually...hopefully in due time to do whatever it is! Home next weekend for another wedding...not looking forward to this one...it's honestly a huge inconvenience right now...and I will only be home for about a day and a half in reality. ugh. Oh, well. János would tell me to "survive it." haha! (I miss Hungary/Europe desperately! Soon...)
And just because...I'm adding in an extra gratitude to this post:
Gratitude 127
This commercial cracks me up every time I see it! haha! :)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Just a lovely bunch of coconuts
Well, life handed me yet another wonderful cake to put icing on this afternoon. I don't care much to elaborate, but I'm ready for that holiday (that'll never exist) now!
Gratitude 125
Despite my anger and irritation today, my spirits were lifted this evening when some of the girls from SAI and I sang at the assisted living home a few blocks from the university. It just made me so happy to see them so happy that we were sharing our music with them, and it brought me down to the remembrance of the reasons why I sing.
Gratitude 125
Despite my anger and irritation today, my spirits were lifted this evening when some of the girls from SAI and I sang at the assisted living home a few blocks from the university. It just made me so happy to see them so happy that we were sharing our music with them, and it brought me down to the remembrance of the reasons why I sing.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thoughts while I should be sleeping...
I know I ought to be sleeping, but I just wanted to post a little note, which I will probably add to tomorrow...or make into actual organized thought instead of random babble. (If I haven't already said this, I am pretty sure I am a partial insomniac or something...apparently, my body thought it'd be a good idea to "go off sleep" or something because falling alseep just doesn't like to happen. Thanks, body, I sincerely appreciate it. Not!)
Today was a frustrating day...and I thought it started out brilliantly...then I had my lesson, and first off, I just couldn't seem to warm up completely. My voice was just not where I wanted it to be. ugh! Then my lesson just strengthened how much of a terrible musician I feel like. I am so irritated with myself and don't know how I am going to learn all the music I need to or perform Phyllis or return to Hungary. I'm certain I am being too hard on myself...that Wonder Woman thing again...but in my last year of undergraduate and still having the stupid downfalls I have = a whole lot of crap. I sincerely don't know what my deal is.
Honestly, I would love a holiday from life for a few days. I have become, in the words of my mother, "such an independent, self-sufficient young lady." But sometimes, I get so tired of constantly having to be so responsible and take care of "all growed up" things every day. It's exhausting...and never seems to end...
This evening was the masterclass with Shuler Hensley. I enjoyed it. (Although, I didn't care much for the students who performed from the university at which it was held. Personal opinion, I suppose.) Shuler is so nice and completely down-to-earth...and a beastly bass! He's a mighty big man...6 foot 3! He is currently performing "The Monster" in the national tour of Young Frankenstein, which we will be attending on Wednesday. He was so crazy and animated and insisted it was not a masterclass but rather a "lab" where he experimented with exercises. His big ideas formulated around using opposites in your intention to create something more real. It was pretty cool. Those couple hours certainly lightened my spirits which were tired, grumpy, and irritated with life.
On the drive there, we were fascinated by the awesome autumn colors. Yellow is everywhere this year! So bright and pretty. :) I love it! Sadly, I forgot my camera. :( Oh, well.
We also discussed Saturday's masterclass with Ken Griffiths on the drive there. Listening to the criticisms of his criticisms and approach to his work, I wonder if maybe I have toughened my skin more than I think (which still must be miniscule since I cry over stupid little things often enough!). He was quite intense and demanding but all with well meaning. However, many of my colleagues did not like how he "tore them apart." I don't necessarily agree. Everything he said was all for the greater good and, in the end, yielded a lovely, more effective result. Nem tudom. My professors in Hungary had a very similar approach, so I knew what to expect, so I knew somewhat of how I'd react to his approach. I knew that any critics were only to make it possible to build it up stronger. Maybe that is why. Just makes me think. (Nonetheless, my acceptance of this approach does not always lessen the tears that may escape afterwards. It is all about balancing critic and positivity.)
Gratitude 124
At least after an irritating day, I put Mozart into my headset and sat on my balcony doing my German homework. An escape away from life for a few moments as I gazed upon the golden leaves illuminated by the sun's glow. :)
Today was a frustrating day...and I thought it started out brilliantly...then I had my lesson, and first off, I just couldn't seem to warm up completely. My voice was just not where I wanted it to be. ugh! Then my lesson just strengthened how much of a terrible musician I feel like. I am so irritated with myself and don't know how I am going to learn all the music I need to or perform Phyllis or return to Hungary. I'm certain I am being too hard on myself...that Wonder Woman thing again...but in my last year of undergraduate and still having the stupid downfalls I have = a whole lot of crap. I sincerely don't know what my deal is.
Honestly, I would love a holiday from life for a few days. I have become, in the words of my mother, "such an independent, self-sufficient young lady." But sometimes, I get so tired of constantly having to be so responsible and take care of "all growed up" things every day. It's exhausting...and never seems to end...
This evening was the masterclass with Shuler Hensley. I enjoyed it. (Although, I didn't care much for the students who performed from the university at which it was held. Personal opinion, I suppose.) Shuler is so nice and completely down-to-earth...and a beastly bass! He's a mighty big man...6 foot 3! He is currently performing "The Monster" in the national tour of Young Frankenstein, which we will be attending on Wednesday. He was so crazy and animated and insisted it was not a masterclass but rather a "lab" where he experimented with exercises. His big ideas formulated around using opposites in your intention to create something more real. It was pretty cool. Those couple hours certainly lightened my spirits which were tired, grumpy, and irritated with life.
On the drive there, we were fascinated by the awesome autumn colors. Yellow is everywhere this year! So bright and pretty. :) I love it! Sadly, I forgot my camera. :( Oh, well.
We also discussed Saturday's masterclass with Ken Griffiths on the drive there. Listening to the criticisms of his criticisms and approach to his work, I wonder if maybe I have toughened my skin more than I think (which still must be miniscule since I cry over stupid little things often enough!). He was quite intense and demanding but all with well meaning. However, many of my colleagues did not like how he "tore them apart." I don't necessarily agree. Everything he said was all for the greater good and, in the end, yielded a lovely, more effective result. Nem tudom. My professors in Hungary had a very similar approach, so I knew what to expect, so I knew somewhat of how I'd react to his approach. I knew that any critics were only to make it possible to build it up stronger. Maybe that is why. Just makes me think. (Nonetheless, my acceptance of this approach does not always lessen the tears that may escape afterwards. It is all about balancing critic and positivity.)
Gratitude 124
At least after an irritating day, I put Mozart into my headset and sat on my balcony doing my German homework. An escape away from life for a few moments as I gazed upon the golden leaves illuminated by the sun's glow. :)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
A Thousand Lifetimes
Sometimes, I feel like there are times in life that seem to have been a century ago...or a century away...like I've lived a thousand different lifetimes. I suppose that sounds strange, but so many things feel like I only dreamed about them, that they weren't real. Europe, college, summer, even this past week...Monday feels like it was a month ago!
It was a very full week, that is for sure! I got my Iolanthe score! :) It's a lot of music, but it'll be awesome. Tuesday, Alexa (my roommate) and I, for some absurd reason, watched 18 Kids and Counting all evening. I'm sorry, but 18 kids...and another on the way!...is way too many! It's INSANE!! Wednesday night, we attended the dress rehearsal for I pagliacci downtown for opera/music theatre workshop. Thursday evening was Melody and Rachel's (two of our SAI sisters) junior recital. Brava, girls! It was beautiful! Then, Friday, Alexa and I just had a lazy evening at home...after a crazy adventure to Target, Kroger, and Chipotle. haha! I don't think I mentioned before, but the two of us are most definitely Laverne and Shirley. Our lives are pretty ridiculous, and whenever we do something together, it is always an interesting adventure. It's hysterical in the end, though! And I am sure it highly entertaining to onlookers. Anywho, we rented My Life in Ruins (HILARIOUS!!!) and The Proposal (ADORABLE!!...even though I've seen it 4 times now! haha!), ate yummy burritos, and I worked on the nuisance called the SAI Yearbook Directory that I have to complete.
Yesterday was the annual Vocal Symposium for the voice department of the conservatory. Actually, it began Friday morning at recital hour with a wonderful lecture on words and music (this year's theme...my favorite!) by Dina Lentsner (Russian professor that lives downstairs of my flat). It varies for year-to-year, but this year it was a day-long masterclass with the brilliant Ken Griffiths. His work is mainly in collaborative piano, so piano-voice ensemble is a big deal with him. :) And then there's the words and music...ah! This is why I want to go back to Europe. I love that stuff! I realized yesterday that not only do I want to sing opera, but I see myself specializing in art song as well. I just love it! I never thought much of it before, but it is such an incredible word of repertoire...and practically endless.
I sang "Waldesgespräch" from Schumann's Eichendorff Liederkreis cycle. Wonderful piece. First off, I have to say that I have grown a sort of attachment to the story behind the piece, the legend of the Lorelai, simply because I have seen the Lorelai rock on the Rhein in Germany. Even more, as I was working on it in my 20 minutes with Ken Griffiths, my energy was heightened as we discussed how the Lorelai must be portrayed because I remembered that the afternoon I was on that Rhein River cruise in 2005, I was persuaded into singing...as we passed the Lorelai rock! Sweet! This song took on a new meaning at that moment. :)
Ken Griffiths was intense and slightly intimidating, but he was absolutely brilliant! He reminded me quite a lot of János and Roland...hard-core and critical but all in well meaning. Twenty minutes was so short. Some people did not like his criticism, but I suppose brutal opinions are often difficult to accept...doesn't, however, necessarily make them any less true, though. He was a very animated man, too. haha! So ridiculous! Perhaps, being a short-statured Australian adds to his humor.
I spoke with him for a moment at the end of the day, thanking him. He had made a joke about Hungarians singing in German, and I told him I had studied in Hungary and what he said was pretty true. haha! :)
Now, it is Sunday, and it feels like Saturday. However, it isn't, and there are classes tomorrow. Mondays. ugh. I don't care for them much...I have a voice lesson, but it is just such a long day. Attending a masterclass an hour away with Shuler Hensley (not performing this time, just watching) tomorrow evening for opera/music theatre workshop. Tickets to Young Frankenstein downtown with the same class on Wednesday. Musicale with SAI on Tuesday evening at the assisted living home down the street. LOTS of practicing to do and catch up on! And that blasted yearbook directory due!
Gratitude 123
I love the beautiful colors I see from my flat and as I walk the paths of campus! :) It's very yellow this year. So cheery!
It was a very full week, that is for sure! I got my Iolanthe score! :) It's a lot of music, but it'll be awesome. Tuesday, Alexa (my roommate) and I, for some absurd reason, watched 18 Kids and Counting all evening. I'm sorry, but 18 kids...and another on the way!...is way too many! It's INSANE!! Wednesday night, we attended the dress rehearsal for I pagliacci downtown for opera/music theatre workshop. Thursday evening was Melody and Rachel's (two of our SAI sisters) junior recital. Brava, girls! It was beautiful! Then, Friday, Alexa and I just had a lazy evening at home...after a crazy adventure to Target, Kroger, and Chipotle. haha! I don't think I mentioned before, but the two of us are most definitely Laverne and Shirley. Our lives are pretty ridiculous, and whenever we do something together, it is always an interesting adventure. It's hysterical in the end, though! And I am sure it highly entertaining to onlookers. Anywho, we rented My Life in Ruins (HILARIOUS!!!) and The Proposal (ADORABLE!!...even though I've seen it 4 times now! haha!), ate yummy burritos, and I worked on the nuisance called the SAI Yearbook Directory that I have to complete.
Yesterday was the annual Vocal Symposium for the voice department of the conservatory. Actually, it began Friday morning at recital hour with a wonderful lecture on words and music (this year's theme...my favorite!) by Dina Lentsner (Russian professor that lives downstairs of my flat). It varies for year-to-year, but this year it was a day-long masterclass with the brilliant Ken Griffiths. His work is mainly in collaborative piano, so piano-voice ensemble is a big deal with him. :) And then there's the words and music...ah! This is why I want to go back to Europe. I love that stuff! I realized yesterday that not only do I want to sing opera, but I see myself specializing in art song as well. I just love it! I never thought much of it before, but it is such an incredible word of repertoire...and practically endless.
I sang "Waldesgespräch" from Schumann's Eichendorff Liederkreis cycle. Wonderful piece. First off, I have to say that I have grown a sort of attachment to the story behind the piece, the legend of the Lorelai, simply because I have seen the Lorelai rock on the Rhein in Germany. Even more, as I was working on it in my 20 minutes with Ken Griffiths, my energy was heightened as we discussed how the Lorelai must be portrayed because I remembered that the afternoon I was on that Rhein River cruise in 2005, I was persuaded into singing...as we passed the Lorelai rock! Sweet! This song took on a new meaning at that moment. :)
Ken Griffiths was intense and slightly intimidating, but he was absolutely brilliant! He reminded me quite a lot of János and Roland...hard-core and critical but all in well meaning. Twenty minutes was so short. Some people did not like his criticism, but I suppose brutal opinions are often difficult to accept...doesn't, however, necessarily make them any less true, though. He was a very animated man, too. haha! So ridiculous! Perhaps, being a short-statured Australian adds to his humor.
I spoke with him for a moment at the end of the day, thanking him. He had made a joke about Hungarians singing in German, and I told him I had studied in Hungary and what he said was pretty true. haha! :)
Now, it is Sunday, and it feels like Saturday. However, it isn't, and there are classes tomorrow. Mondays. ugh. I don't care for them much...I have a voice lesson, but it is just such a long day. Attending a masterclass an hour away with Shuler Hensley (not performing this time, just watching) tomorrow evening for opera/music theatre workshop. Tickets to Young Frankenstein downtown with the same class on Wednesday. Musicale with SAI on Tuesday evening at the assisted living home down the street. LOTS of practicing to do and catch up on! And that blasted yearbook directory due!
Gratitude 123
I love the beautiful colors I see from my flat and as I walk the paths of campus! :) It's very yellow this year. So cheery!
P.S. A few pictures have been added to the previous post! :)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Hello? Are you there?
I do still exist! I apologize for yet another long hiatus from my posts. Life has been...stressful and overwhelming...to say the least. BUT...
Gratitude 122
MY FULBRIGHT APPLICATION IS COMPLETE AND SUBMITTED!!! YAY!!!!
Early this afternoon, I handed over the entire packet to Dr. Carlson, my advisor, who has overnighted it to New York. This morning was a rollercoaster getting the final letter from the Kodály Institute to include in the packet. (Pretty sure, they are probably thinking they don't want to ever see me again after that fiasco!) After several emails, the hard copy getting lost in the mail, and a phone call...I received it this morning and then proceeded to lose the attachment, consequently, leaving me in a hot mess to make my way back to my apartment through blurred vision to see if I could retrieve it on my computer. I miraculously did!
Hallelujah! I have been going mad trying to get everything together, and a million tears and hair-pulling moments later, it is finished. (Now, praying for good to come of this all!) So...needless to say, I have been so pre-ocuppied with that, staying up to the wee hours of the morning because it was the only time I had to work on my essays and emails, I had to put things like this blog on hold. Sadly, though, I am kind of frustrated/upset with myself for neglecting a few other things along the way...like my practice schedule. :( Nem jó! I'm trying to remind myself that I am only human, though...regardless, all is still unexcusable in my world.
Still really stressed about school stuff, though...catching up on the things I set aside. It is mid-term, so exams all around. Ugh. I am so over crying but feel like it's going to happen again soon this week. This girl thing is a little ridiculous sometimes. Because it is mid-term, though, I had a three-day weekend at home hanging out with my nephew. He is hysterical! And A LOT of work...certainly not ready for my own children!!! He's the typical gets-into-everything-scales-the-safety-gates 1-year old. haha!
Gratitude 122
MY FULBRIGHT APPLICATION IS COMPLETE AND SUBMITTED!!! YAY!!!!
Early this afternoon, I handed over the entire packet to Dr. Carlson, my advisor, who has overnighted it to New York. This morning was a rollercoaster getting the final letter from the Kodály Institute to include in the packet. (Pretty sure, they are probably thinking they don't want to ever see me again after that fiasco!) After several emails, the hard copy getting lost in the mail, and a phone call...I received it this morning and then proceeded to lose the attachment, consequently, leaving me in a hot mess to make my way back to my apartment through blurred vision to see if I could retrieve it on my computer. I miraculously did!
Hallelujah! I have been going mad trying to get everything together, and a million tears and hair-pulling moments later, it is finished. (Now, praying for good to come of this all!) So...needless to say, I have been so pre-ocuppied with that, staying up to the wee hours of the morning because it was the only time I had to work on my essays and emails, I had to put things like this blog on hold. Sadly, though, I am kind of frustrated/upset with myself for neglecting a few other things along the way...like my practice schedule. :( Nem jó! I'm trying to remind myself that I am only human, though...regardless, all is still unexcusable in my world.
Still really stressed about school stuff, though...catching up on the things I set aside. It is mid-term, so exams all around. Ugh. I am so over crying but feel like it's going to happen again soon this week. This girl thing is a little ridiculous sometimes. Because it is mid-term, though, I had a three-day weekend at home hanging out with my nephew. He is hysterical! And A LOT of work...certainly not ready for my own children!!! He's the typical gets-into-everything-scales-the-safety-gates 1-year old. haha!
Oh! And the cast lists for this years shows, G&S's Iolanthe and Jason Howland's Little Women, were released last week. (I suppose I should have popped in for a quick post when they were pinned up because it is good news this year.) I have been cast as Phyllis in Iolanthe, the leading soprano. :) What a lovely name, Phyllis. haha! Not! ;) The major roles have been double-cast, however, but nonetheless, it is exciting. When I found out last week, I was just slightly distracted by my Fulbright stuff, so I didn't really get that excited about it...but now that that is complete, I am getting excited.
Voice lesson today was not the grandest, but I suppose those happen. I think that is partly why I am frustrated with myself. Plus, Lynn has not said anything to me about the opera, and I feel a little disheartened by that, like she isn't really supportive/proud of me and this role. I know she is stressed and slightly distracted (and I have given her nothing less that the stubborn soprano in me to deal with the past few weeks!), but I don't know. All of it is probably not true and made up in my head, but nem tudom...
*****
Last weekend was Homecoming at Cap. It was really awesome this year. I enjoyed it. Slightly sad I didn't go to the dance at the Bar of Modern Art downtown, but I had prior-made plans. A few pics to be inserted from that weekend, too, when my camera comes. The new $2.5 million fountains that were just installed are officially up and running on the plaza on campus. They look really sweet, but it is a little too cold to enjoy them much right now. (It snowed in PA while I was home this weekend!)
I also climbed a rock wall! hehe!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Gratitude 121
Although I will be doing homework pretty much the entire weekend, I am thankful for a more subdued weekend where I can sit all day in my pjs, put a movie on or a dvd (perhaps Gilligan...), and work on my endless pile of work. These weekends don't seem to come very often when you have a to-do list that goes to Bangok and back! haha! ;)
My Friday night has been spent watching the Disney Channel, working on my Fulbright stuff, and munching on candy corn (my favorite!!!). I am already starting to freak about the Fulbright. I have booked the recital hall (and accompanist Barb...I'm cheating on Chad again...with his full blessing, though...he doesn't want to play the selections I have chosen! haha! Lazy!) for Wednesday evening to record my songs for the CD that has to be submitted. And as I was working on the app, personal statement, and proposal this evening, I came across something that said in the vocal field of application, the CD holds the most importance...even over the proposal! Eek! Making my noivous! Talk about pressure! Well, I guess we shall just see what happens...
Oh! And I got to have lunch and chats with my Crystal today! She popped in for a visit. :) And...last night, was yoga, egg rolls, and girl chats with my Katie! Extra smiles! :)
P.S. I just found this first thing on Kim's blog and the second from Joyce...thanks! ;)
My Friday night has been spent watching the Disney Channel, working on my Fulbright stuff, and munching on candy corn (my favorite!!!). I am already starting to freak about the Fulbright. I have booked the recital hall (and accompanist Barb...I'm cheating on Chad again...with his full blessing, though...he doesn't want to play the selections I have chosen! haha! Lazy!) for Wednesday evening to record my songs for the CD that has to be submitted. And as I was working on the app, personal statement, and proposal this evening, I came across something that said in the vocal field of application, the CD holds the most importance...even over the proposal! Eek! Making my noivous! Talk about pressure! Well, I guess we shall just see what happens...
Oh! And I got to have lunch and chats with my Crystal today! She popped in for a visit. :) And...last night, was yoga, egg rolls, and girl chats with my Katie! Extra smiles! :)
P.S. I just found this first thing on Kim's blog and the second from Joyce...thanks! ;)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Daddy baked me a CAKE!!! :)
I apologize for the long-time no-see. And, honestly, I have a bazillion things to be done, but I wanted to take a few minutes to post at least a little blurb.
Gratitude 120
Last weekend, I went home to sing at a wedding. The wedding part was interesting. It was fine...just crazy! It was nice to get away for a weekend, though...esp. after all the craziness that has been going on in my life the past few weeks. (I have been a bit of a hot mess. Not cool.) Anyway, my dad baked me a CAKE!! From SCRATCH!!! :D Yum! And this wasn't just any ordinary cake...it was double layer! It was a definite surprise, too. I mean, my dad joked last year about doing it for my birthday, but he didn't. Then, I just liked to tease him about it. But he out of the blue decided to make a list of things he needed and make a mess of my mom's kitchen. haha! I want to see pictures of the mixing process...I arrived home while it was in the oven.
It was a lovely weekend at home, though. Friday night, the sky was so incredibly clear. I cannot remember the last time it was so clear and so many stars could be seen. Quinton and I were staying at my gram and pops' house (Q came home with me to play piano for the wedding.), and I took a blanket outside and plopped myself in the middle of the yard...at midnight. It was gorgeous! I even saw a shooting star!! :)
Saturday night after the wedding, we ate the yummy cake, and I whipped Q and Becca's butts at Scrabble. hehe! Xander was hilarious with the cake...he had it all over himself. He's such a big boy now!
Other than all that excitement, life's been eh. Lots of work to do, little sleep, revising my Fulbright proposal, working on the whole application, opera and musical auditions (which I am not feeling so keen about the imminent outcome), working through a block in my voice lessons, etc. Everything will work out just how it is supposed to be, though, right?
Gratitude 120
Last weekend, I went home to sing at a wedding. The wedding part was interesting. It was fine...just crazy! It was nice to get away for a weekend, though...esp. after all the craziness that has been going on in my life the past few weeks. (I have been a bit of a hot mess. Not cool.) Anyway, my dad baked me a CAKE!! From SCRATCH!!! :D Yum! And this wasn't just any ordinary cake...it was double layer! It was a definite surprise, too. I mean, my dad joked last year about doing it for my birthday, but he didn't. Then, I just liked to tease him about it. But he out of the blue decided to make a list of things he needed and make a mess of my mom's kitchen. haha! I want to see pictures of the mixing process...I arrived home while it was in the oven.
It was a lovely weekend at home, though. Friday night, the sky was so incredibly clear. I cannot remember the last time it was so clear and so many stars could be seen. Quinton and I were staying at my gram and pops' house (Q came home with me to play piano for the wedding.), and I took a blanket outside and plopped myself in the middle of the yard...at midnight. It was gorgeous! I even saw a shooting star!! :)
Saturday night after the wedding, we ate the yummy cake, and I whipped Q and Becca's butts at Scrabble. hehe! Xander was hilarious with the cake...he had it all over himself. He's such a big boy now!
Other than all that excitement, life's been eh. Lots of work to do, little sleep, revising my Fulbright proposal, working on the whole application, opera and musical auditions (which I am not feeling so keen about the imminent outcome), working through a block in my voice lessons, etc. Everything will work out just how it is supposed to be, though, right?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Adventures (and Mis-adventures) of Life
It has been quite the week!
Battled with the university because they insisted I could take a class next year, however, begin a senior, that won't exactly work for me. It ended with me in tears in my advisor's office trying to sort this out, and finally the concluding decision by the "big boys" on campus was that I could complete the course as it had been first arranged...meaning the whole spiel never had to happen in the first place! (A whole lot of stress for nothing!)
In about the span of 24 hours, I started and quit a job on campus AND woke up with practically no voice...I sounded like a contralto. Ugh! And I have a million things I need to be singing. :(
My roommate's computer died; the Apple store is not open till Saturday for some reason. We drove a half-hour to another place to get it fixed only to have them tell us they wouldn't do it. Then, her hamster died.
I had THE WORST voice lesson of my life and was on the verge of losing it the whole time. Lynn was concerned the most about the fact that I walked in unprepared, which I practically never do.
Almost had a very tragic fall down a flight of stairs...never text and walk down steps at the same time...probably won't end well!
And to top it all, I found out I had to pay $50 for access to an online workbook for German, which is simply outrageous. (My roommate and I had a whole discussion on how textbooks are some sort of elaborate scam...they charge you hundreds of dollars on a little book that had to have cost them five bucks to produce, so it is practically all profit. We've decided we should either invest stock in McGraw-Hill or write our own book.)
Oy! On the bright side of life (Samantha needs to get out of this negative funk because it is no fun!), I FINALLY wrote my Fulbright proposal!! Yay! My Fulbright advisor has reviewed it, likes it, and now it is time for revisions. :) I wrote it on Saturday...after about four hours of just staring at my computer with no ideas anymore, I just started typing and bam! It was finished.
Gratitude 119
Saturday was an absolutely lovely day. I stayed in my pjs until 7:30PM! :) Lounging in the flat with my roommate, drinking tea, making mac 'n cheese, watching tv, and cranking out a proposal. Then, I went to see Julie and Julia at the little theatre around the corner from my flat with my dear friend Haley. It was hysterical! And the two of us together just made it even better...it's a good thing there were only like 5 or 6 other people in the theatre with us! haha! And there was also Graeter's ice cream and stargazing on the lawn in front of the university in the mix. A brilliant day!
Friday was even more brilliant...I had THE MOST AMAZING lesson EVER!!!! It was awesome! Lynn just moved to a bigger, more resonantly acoustic studio, so now, we can learn how to really use the big voices that have been held inside us. (Hence, the bigger dismay when I had a horrid lesson on the following Monday.)
Just to make this post a century long, I have been thinking about this past week's events and how life always throws loops at you...good and bad. Then, I started thinking (yes, another one of my mind's ridiculous tangents!) about all the silly little things you learn when you start adventures on your own, mine starting mainly when I went off to college and then abroad...and now as I wonder what will be next for me...
Life Discoveries (Part 1)
Battled with the university because they insisted I could take a class next year, however, begin a senior, that won't exactly work for me. It ended with me in tears in my advisor's office trying to sort this out, and finally the concluding decision by the "big boys" on campus was that I could complete the course as it had been first arranged...meaning the whole spiel never had to happen in the first place! (A whole lot of stress for nothing!)
In about the span of 24 hours, I started and quit a job on campus AND woke up with practically no voice...I sounded like a contralto. Ugh! And I have a million things I need to be singing. :(
My roommate's computer died; the Apple store is not open till Saturday for some reason. We drove a half-hour to another place to get it fixed only to have them tell us they wouldn't do it. Then, her hamster died.
I had THE WORST voice lesson of my life and was on the verge of losing it the whole time. Lynn was concerned the most about the fact that I walked in unprepared, which I practically never do.
Almost had a very tragic fall down a flight of stairs...never text and walk down steps at the same time...probably won't end well!
And to top it all, I found out I had to pay $50 for access to an online workbook for German, which is simply outrageous. (My roommate and I had a whole discussion on how textbooks are some sort of elaborate scam...they charge you hundreds of dollars on a little book that had to have cost them five bucks to produce, so it is practically all profit. We've decided we should either invest stock in McGraw-Hill or write our own book.)
Oy! On the bright side of life (Samantha needs to get out of this negative funk because it is no fun!), I FINALLY wrote my Fulbright proposal!! Yay! My Fulbright advisor has reviewed it, likes it, and now it is time for revisions. :) I wrote it on Saturday...after about four hours of just staring at my computer with no ideas anymore, I just started typing and bam! It was finished.
Gratitude 119
Saturday was an absolutely lovely day. I stayed in my pjs until 7:30PM! :) Lounging in the flat with my roommate, drinking tea, making mac 'n cheese, watching tv, and cranking out a proposal. Then, I went to see Julie and Julia at the little theatre around the corner from my flat with my dear friend Haley. It was hysterical! And the two of us together just made it even better...it's a good thing there were only like 5 or 6 other people in the theatre with us! haha! And there was also Graeter's ice cream and stargazing on the lawn in front of the university in the mix. A brilliant day!
Friday was even more brilliant...I had THE MOST AMAZING lesson EVER!!!! It was awesome! Lynn just moved to a bigger, more resonantly acoustic studio, so now, we can learn how to really use the big voices that have been held inside us. (Hence, the bigger dismay when I had a horrid lesson on the following Monday.)
Just to make this post a century long, I have been thinking about this past week's events and how life always throws loops at you...good and bad. Then, I started thinking (yes, another one of my mind's ridiculous tangents!) about all the silly little things you learn when you start adventures on your own, mine starting mainly when I went off to college and then abroad...and now as I wonder what will be next for me...
Life Discoveries (Part 1)
- Being the first in your family to go to college automatically thrusts you into vast, uncharted territory.
- Toilet paper just seems to disappear.
- One bottle of shampoo lasts so much longer when only one person is using it, but the grocery bill is always astounding when you actually have to start buying your own things.
- Life is very expensive.
- You go to college, and the thing you learn most $30,000 later is that you are stupid about life, and the only way to change that is to go through it.
- When you stop worrying about time, there is time enough and also to spare.
- If walls could talk, I'd be in trouble A LOT.
- Money doesn't mean someone has it all.
- It's not only how you sing...it's who you are.
- Library fines are relentless.
- Play-doh and coloring books are not just for 5-year-olds.
- It has to be Crayola!
- As soon as the warranty is up, the computer will start doing funny things.
- Cell phones are a pest but essential.
- Without technology, no one in today's society would know how to function.
- People change...but, sadly, some will never learn.
- Every time you turn around, it's time to do laundry AGAIN!
- Whether it is "pop" or "soda" is a constant topic of debate.
- Packing and moving places every year, although annoying, makes you realize just how much stuff you have...and how much you probably never even used!
- What is good for you is not always fun.
- It's okay to make mistakes. No one really cares that much if you admit them, fix them, and move on.
- Knowing when it is time to work and when it's okay to play is very important.
- Ask the question...no matter how ridiculous or repetitive it may be.
- Time is precious. Make the most of every moment.
- Sometimes, you just have to fall flat on your face because it is the only way you'll figure out how to get back up.
- You can't accomplish anything without persistance.
- Although difficult to do, pack light whenever you travel!
- Music books weigh a ton.
- Staying in your comfort zone might be "safe" but will never push you to grow.
- I'm very stubborn...and am far more like my father than I ever realized.
- It takes living 6000 miles from home to learn just how important it is.
- I make a pretty delicious tuna casserole.
- Facebook sucks you in! It is a terrible distraction!
- You study singing and end up learning more about anatomy than you ever thought you cared to know...e.g. There is thyroid cartillage and a thyroid gland, but they don't mean the same thing or function the same way. Or...(one of the faves in vocal pedagogy class)...The lungs are an organ that do not move on their own. Rather, a partial vacuum is created when the diaphragm contracts, allowing air to flow in.
- COTA buses are scary.
- Bells that ring on the hour are charming in Europe...and irritating in Ohio...perhaps it's because they don't ring at the right time!
- You always find everything you need...but rarely when you actually need it.
More to come, I'm sure... ;)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Package from China!
Gratitude 118
Today, I received a package from Sun Xing, my Chinese friend who just went back to Hungary to study another year there. :D How exciting! She sent me a rabbit because I was born in the year of the Rabbit, some absolutely beautiful earrings, postcards from her home town, and (Becca will be jealous of this...) a key charm from the Beijing olympics. Sweet! :)
Also, the Kyushu students baked me cupcakes for my birthday, and I got them yesterday. They are too kind! They wrote "Happy Birthday" in Japanese on them.
It's been a terrible past two days. Perhaps, I'll explain sometime this weekend. I am singing on recital hour in the morning and must get some sleep. Already worried enough about not being ready for it...pretty sure a lack of sleep won't help matters.
Today, I received a package from Sun Xing, my Chinese friend who just went back to Hungary to study another year there. :D How exciting! She sent me a rabbit because I was born in the year of the Rabbit, some absolutely beautiful earrings, postcards from her home town, and (Becca will be jealous of this...) a key charm from the Beijing olympics. Sweet! :)
Also, the Kyushu students baked me cupcakes for my birthday, and I got them yesterday. They are too kind! They wrote "Happy Birthday" in Japanese on them.
It's been a terrible past two days. Perhaps, I'll explain sometime this weekend. I am singing on recital hour in the morning and must get some sleep. Already worried enough about not being ready for it...pretty sure a lack of sleep won't help matters.
P.S. Candy corn has returned!!! :) I was super excited to see it at the store yesterday.
Oh! And I wanted to share this video I just stumbled upon...I liked it.
Oh! And I wanted to share this video I just stumbled upon...I liked it.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Happy Birthday to Me!
It is officially year 22 of Samantha's life. Went to Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte with Q and Tracy, pestered Chad and took him hot chocolate, scheduled my senior rectial (March 23rd @ 6:30pm), rescheduled a lesson with Lynn, a few classes, Mom and Dad came to visit to take me to dinner...at the Cheesecake Factory...which included a ridiculous "Happy Birthday" routine by the waiters and a delicious piece of ornamented lemoncello creme torte...yum!, adventures at Trader Joe's with Mom and Dad, and a quiet glass of wine under the stars on the terrace. (I make that last part seem far more extravagant that it truly is...city lights kind of block the stars somewhat...and it is never actually quiet out there...nonetheless, I love it!)
I'd say it was a fine day. No day is ever perfect, but that doesn't make it any less "good." And...I got Gilligan's Island Season 1! Sweet! Now, I can start from the beginning. hehe! (I got Season 2 this summer and watched some of it with Becca.)
Gratitude 117
I am thankful that my parents came from PA just to take me out to dinner on my birthday. :)
P.S. I figured a make-shift way to get my video of pics from the zoo up. Check it out! ;)
I'd say it was a fine day. No day is ever perfect, but that doesn't make it any less "good." And...I got Gilligan's Island Season 1! Sweet! Now, I can start from the beginning. hehe! (I got Season 2 this summer and watched some of it with Becca.)
Gratitude 117
I am thankful that my parents came from PA just to take me out to dinner on my birthday. :)
P.S. I figured a make-shift way to get my video of pics from the zoo up. Check it out! ;)
Monday, September 7, 2009
Last Day of Year 21
In about a half hour, it'll be a whole new year in the life of Samantha. :) After a little bit of thinking, "22?!" I have decided that it is perfect. The best years of my life have only just begun. And you know what? They are going to be wonderful memories. I have decided.
Yesterday, I was searching the web doing my whole "what to do next" search for the hundredth time when I fell upon a website about a called Delaying the Real World. I have decided that is me. This is the time in my life when I can do whatever...and if I pass up brilliant opportunities (like the possibility to live abroad for awhile), they may never come again. Grad school can wait a couple years. I have ordered it and am going to read it. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new year of more crazy adventures. :)
Today was my roommate's birthday. (I think it is funny how our birthdays happen to be a day apart.) She went home for the weekend - which is only about 20 minutes from campus/our apartment - so a few of us went to her place for birthday/Labor Day celebrations.
Gratitude 116
I am thankful for umbrellas...even when you still get drenched despite having it. ;)
Yesterday, I was searching the web doing my whole "what to do next" search for the hundredth time when I fell upon a website about a called Delaying the Real World. I have decided that is me. This is the time in my life when I can do whatever...and if I pass up brilliant opportunities (like the possibility to live abroad for awhile), they may never come again. Grad school can wait a couple years. I have ordered it and am going to read it. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new year of more crazy adventures. :)
(Certainly, nothing can really top the month-long celebrations of last year...including vineyard excursions with Katrin, Martin, and their friend Brandon, a day in Budapest, a visit to the Budapest State Opera, and dinner in the Castle District. However, it'll be a brilliant day!)
Today was my roommate's birthday. (I think it is funny how our birthdays happen to be a day apart.) She went home for the weekend - which is only about 20 minutes from campus/our apartment - so a few of us went to her place for birthday/Labor Day celebrations.
Gratitude 116
I am thankful for umbrellas...even when you still get drenched despite having it. ;)
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Baby Monkey!!! :)
Yesterday, I went to the zoo with the Kyushu students. I had never been to the one here, so it was an adventure for me as well. However, there weren't any giraffes, so I couldn't get any awesome pictures for my nephew. (They are his favorite animal.) However, I got some other really great shots. I didn't photoshop any of them, but I threw them into a little video anyway.
There was an absolutely adorable baby monkey! He was so little! I was right beside the glass trying to get some pictures without the reflection of the glass, and one of the monkeys ran over and slammed against the glass where I was standing. It made me jump backwards of the rock I was standing on!
The Japanese students are lots of fun, too. They are quite the characters.
It has been a weekend full of somewhat "epic" adventures. It is my last year here (that I know of for now, anyway!), and I want to do all the things I have not done yet. Friday, I went to Shakespeare in the Park with my friend Miriam. We saw As You Like It. It was fun, however, I found it super odd that half the characters were puppets. Nonetheless, it was fun. Yesterday afternoon was the zoo, and then last night was gallery hop (all the galleries downtown stay open late on the first Saturday of the month, and there's tons of live music along the street) and dancing. And now I am exhausted. (I am sure it does not help that we were up till the wee small hours of the morning dancing and shooting the breeze!)
Today, I must do my pile of homework...and perhaps a nap! No classes tomorrow because of Labor Day. I think I need to do some vegging before Tuesday...the first week of class wiped me out for some reason.
(...és kedden van születésnapom! 22 éves!...and Tuesday is my birthday! 22 years old! eek!)
Gratitude 115
I am absolutely in LOVE with my balcony! (or my "terrace," as I like to refer to it! hehe!) It has officially become my favorite spot. :)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Gratitude 114
This morning, I went out to coffee for chats with my little "sis" (SAI sisters), Rachel. It was so great to catch up with her. :) Her spirit and strong faith always inspire me.
For some reason, I am feeling really out of sync with life. I don't know what my deal is. It is like I'm in some parallel universe and not really here. It is really bizarre. Honestly, I think I am just tired and confused about singing right now, so my practicing just either doesn't happen or ends quickly with built up frustration. I'm sure it'll pass soon enough. Till then, I'll just have to muddle through.
It has been gloriously sunny and comfortable all week. I have been making lovely use of my balcony. I love sitting out there...esp. at night. It gets rather chilly at night, but I don't mind...it is rather peaceful...and the stars glitter the sky, despite the glow of all the city lights. (Stars never are quite the same in the city, but God has given me a little "boost" with the balcony, so I have a slightly better view with clear skies.)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Happy Birthday, Xander!
Today, Baby Xander turned 1 year old. Such a big boy now! I wasn't there, but I here the cake was a mess. They went to the zoo to see his favorite animal, too...giraffes. :)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Glitter Crazy!
I finished the SAI bulletin board. It is very sparkly! :) I think I may be officially glittered out for awhile. Currently, everywhere I go, there is a trail of glitter that follows. Pretty, but I think it needs to take a little rest.
Seeing it all together, it reminds me a bit of the photo layouts created in 13 Going on 30. I like it! And believe it or not...the pics I made were simply printed out black-and-white on a regular inkjet printer and emboldened with Crayola marker. It looks pretty sweet if I do say so myself. hehe! ;)
Gratitude 113
I love Crayola! No, it is not just for 6-year olds...I use them more in college than I think I did in elementary school. And yes...it must be Crayola. It is the best.
I am also thankful for this lovely wall decal that Alexa put up on the kitchen wall. Every time I see it, it makes me smile. :)
I am also thankful for this lovely wall decal that Alexa put up on the kitchen wall. Every time I see it, it makes me smile. :)
Monday, August 31, 2009
The accomplishments of today's to-do list...
As promised...some snapshots of my lovely little flat. Except that it is laid out in a different shape and an extra bedroom, it reminds me a lot of Katrin's flat in Vienna. :)
my "terrace" ;) 
the living room area 
the kitchen
my bedroomI also accomplished my other goal of finishing the SAI bulletin board! Impressive, huh? Actually, the pictures still need pinned up on the board, but they were all sufficiently glittered this evening and laid out to let the glue dry first.
Today was the first day of classes. Oy! Good but frazzling...for all. This semester, I don't have class till 11AM!!! The first time ever that I don't have 8AM or 9AM classes! :)
I received two syllabi today that were like 7 pages. Okay. That's fine. What's wrong with double-sided copies, though? Let's save some trees, please! It's easy bein' green!
My ethics professor is pretty much the absent-minded professor. haha! You know Ape big ape on George of the Jungle? For some odd reason, my professor reminds me of him.
Right of the bat, I had a lesson with Lynn. It was INTENSE. But in a good way. I did so well not getting very frustrated at all. However, I am pretty sure I was frustrating her a little bit as she tried to figure out a million different ways to tell me the same thing. It's getting there, but I realized today just how much work I have cut out for me for this year on my voice.
My German class, I think, is going to be sweet. Dr. Moeller is brilliant. She is from Hamburg, Germany, and this is her first year teaching at my university. At first, she has this big, stern German facade, but then the shell cracks and she has this ridiculous sense of humor. I think it'll be fun. As soon as she walked in the classroom, she started speaking to us in German and expected us to pick up on how to respond. I got it right from the start...I knew my German knowledge would begin to bounce back...hopefully it keeps happening! ;) (P.S. Katrin and Martin, thank you for correcting my pronunciation of "universität," so I didn't look like a complete idiot when I had to say to answer a question with it this afternoon!)
Then, I thought I may have heart failure at the price of some books I had to purchase. Oy! I just don't understand how something so little can cost so much! It's like a scam!
Well, I only have one for tomorrow, so it'll be an errands day. My roommate wants to get a hamster. I kind of want a little fishy. ;) Who knows what tomorrow will hold...
Gratitude 112
It was an absolutely beautiful day. And although frazzling and exhausting, I'm doing my best to let that lovely sunshine flood my entire life. :)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Gratitude 111
I love to make people smile. :)
Last week, while I was doing the international student orientation, it was Maki's birthday. Maki is one of the Japanese students here on a three-week intensive ESL (English as a Second Language) course. So...I baked her cake! :) It was great fun. (However, Samantha had to be "Miss Creative" and decide at 11PM to write "Happy Birthday, Maki" in sprinkles...oy! I was up till 1AM. haha! Go figure! Arts and crafts are my therapy...but also my frustration!)
We've done lots of activities this past week with the international students. We even went putt-putt golfing with the students from Kyushu, Japan (the ones who are here for only three weeks). Over the next couple weeks, there will be other various adventures with them until they leave. Next Saturday is either the zoo or Old Man's Cave...I'm hoping for the zoo! ;)
In other spectrums of life, I have been decorating the SAI bulletin board in the conservatory this week. hehe! So much fun! (I am the Editor this year, so my job is to take pictures and play with glitter. YES!) It is nearly finished...a picture will most definitely come of that, too!
I got to see Lynn on Friday for the first time since June! I love that lady! :) She make me smile. We talked lots about life...that whole "what to do next" ordeal. It is really freaking me out. And classes of SENIOR YEAR begin tomorrow! EEK! It'll be okay, though...right? Whatever is supposed to happen will. I am going to do my best to just enjoy my journey. I love it, but it is über scary not knowing what will be waiting on the other side of this HUGE corner coming up in the road. It feels like I am walking blind right now.
I told Lynn that at this current moment in my life, I do not feel ready to enter my graduate studies. It is something I realized in this past week. I very much want the Master of Music, but it is not something to be rushed into. I may still return to Hungary for a year or so. (I, sadly, received the rejection letter this past week for the scholarship I had applied for. However, not receiving it does not necessarily rule out the possibility...) Lynn and I decided we are just going to do a bit of exploring in the coming months and not close any doors just yet.
As for my flat...I LOVE IT!!! Ah! I wish I could just transport this place everywhere I go for the next few years! And my walk to and from home, all of which is a mere block's distance...not even!...is so cool. It is like walking through a little gallery district...little boutique shops and tiny art galleries line the distance. Pretty! And for an instance in time, I feel like I am not in Ohio...as silly as that notion sounds. haha! My goal tomorrow is to finally take pictures of the place and post them tomorrow.
I got to see Lynn on Friday for the first time since June! I love that lady! :) She make me smile. We talked lots about life...that whole "what to do next" ordeal. It is really freaking me out. And classes of SENIOR YEAR begin tomorrow! EEK! It'll be okay, though...right? Whatever is supposed to happen will. I am going to do my best to just enjoy my journey. I love it, but it is über scary not knowing what will be waiting on the other side of this HUGE corner coming up in the road. It feels like I am walking blind right now.
I told Lynn that at this current moment in my life, I do not feel ready to enter my graduate studies. It is something I realized in this past week. I very much want the Master of Music, but it is not something to be rushed into. I may still return to Hungary for a year or so. (I, sadly, received the rejection letter this past week for the scholarship I had applied for. However, not receiving it does not necessarily rule out the possibility...) Lynn and I decided we are just going to do a bit of exploring in the coming months and not close any doors just yet.
As for my flat...I LOVE IT!!! Ah! I wish I could just transport this place everywhere I go for the next few years! And my walk to and from home, all of which is a mere block's distance...not even!...is so cool. It is like walking through a little gallery district...little boutique shops and tiny art galleries line the distance. Pretty! And for an instance in time, I feel like I am not in Ohio...as silly as that notion sounds. haha! My goal tomorrow is to finally take pictures of the place and post them tomorrow.
This afternoon I saw this car parked across the street. It's Herbie! How cute! :)
This evening, Q, Tracy, Chad, and I had dinner on the "terrace". hehe! It was brilliant! We chatted for so long. I think I am loving this way too much. Dina, one of our music professors that lives downstairs came outside and was just in shock. "Samantha, what is this? Is this how it's going to be? I didn't sign up for this! I'm surrounded! School hasn't even begun until tomorrow." haha! It was all said in good fun and was very hysterical. And I think Alexa (my roommate) and I are going to have far too much fun this year, too.
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