...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.
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