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...

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:

"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)

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...

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.

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!

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:

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! :)

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! ;)

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!

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. :)

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 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:

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!)

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?

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. :)

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!):

"...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! :)