The Soprano: A Year in Review

Well, technology has suddenly taken a rushing return to my life yesterday, despite my attempts against it. I'm still in PA for the last of the holiday festivities, but a realization that I actually have...*ugh* "Real Life"...to attend to, once again, in just a few short days. haha! Oh, well. I'll survive! ;)

As I always do on this day of every year, I fall accustom to the trite nostalgia of another year come to a close, and the bits of life that occurred over that chronicled chapter. So...I absurdly flipped through the pages of my blog (quite a feat to even give it a thought while on dial-up! haha!). There they all were: the excitement, the laughter, the successes, the heartbreaks/face-smacking moments, the tears, the courage, the stubborn independence, the defiance, the drastically over-dramatic, the weird anecdotes that probably only I found humorous...and the continuance forward despite the vast unknown.

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It was like physically reliving each and every moment...and so many times I wish I could do exactly that... ;) It is incredible thing us, humans, can do — attach full emotions to experiences, both happy and painful. That's the beauty of life. And this is how we grow. Each experience and episode that we witness or take part in throughout our lives contributes to some facet or another of our being. (It is also very difficult, I have found, to condense an entire year of one's life into one page...)

Now, in lovely Facebook "My Year in Statuses" fashion (that in itself is a completely ridiculous statement!!), here is a brief montage of the published moments of Samantha's 2010...

I'm going to write a novel. (Still need to figure out about what...haha!) ♦  Read the ridiculous Twilight series ♦ A million hours of rehearsal last night scattered with short tempers (myself included), but we survived... ♦ Dance party at Katie, Caite, and Bryans! ♦ Coconut does not go down the garbage disposal. ♦ Katie and I decided to take an adventure to The Mad Greek, and it was the BEST decision ever! ♦ Smile. ♦ "I hate when I just miss a call on the last ring, but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and then goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and then run away?" ♦ Fencing is so sweet! I can't wait till I get my sword! Right now, we are working on footwork, aka What-you-need-to-know-before-I-give-you-a-weapon 101. ♦ Sang Phyllis last night in Iolanthe. ♦ Missing Europe a lot today. :( ♦ Only now exists. ♦ Strength of character is found in the standing up after smacking your face on the carefully-laid bricks. Keep the spirits high, a smile on your face, a bounce in your step, and take heart in the world of possibilities that surround you. ♦ Need to write that poetry paper sometime...due Monday at 6pm...plenty of time! ♦ My spontaneity and adventure are ready to roll! =D I love my life! ♦ New York, New York! ♦ Life as I know it...this week! ;) ♦ Hungarian music recital ♦ Bought my cap and gown for graduation today...EEK! ♦ Recital preparations have taking over most of my brain capacity. ♦ Sang Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" on my friend Haley's trumpet recital. ♦ RECITAL DAY!!! Beautiful dress. Beautiful music. In good voice. High heels. Chad carefully matching his tie choice to the color of my gown. (Gotta love him!) Watching Gilligan's Island for nearly three hours to keep my mind off of my nerves. ♦ The Soprano invades YouTube! ♦ How my life turned into an episode of "Grey's Anatomy"...and Herman called me "Sunshine." ♦ Alexa locked herself in the bathroom... ♦ Somehow, I got talked into presenting research at Undergraduate Symposium. ♦ Friday was my last Chapel Choir concert! ♦ Awarded the Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award! ♦ Espresso and Sarcasm ♦ College is over?! ♦ Q called, said he'd be there in 10 minutes, and we were going to a Renaissance fair. Me: What?! I'm not even dressed ye---" Q: "Just do it." Me: "Okay." ♦ I booked plane tickets to Europe! I am totally psychotic, and I don't know how my family puts up with me and goes along with my craziness. ♦ B.M., Magna Cum Laude! ♦ I can't stop myself from feeling that my life is suddenly turning into the movie Post Grad..."Everyone say over-priced education!" ♦ I shall kicketh booty with my made diva kung fu skills. ♦ Katie's bachelorette party was Iolanthe fairy-themed. (Need I say more?! hehe!) ♦ After all these years and a college degree, I am still a terribly ADHD studier! ♦ Katie and Bryan's epic wedding. ♦ Second start to the right and on till morning... ♦ Mirabell Gardens. ♦ Today was: the most agonizing and stressful day of my life thus far. ♦ This is my adventure. ♦ A bicycle ride in search of Schloss Frohnberg... ;) ♦ Munich, Germany...during the world cup... ♦ Diana Damrau's Liederabend! ♦ The Deutsches Museum and Neuschwanstein Castle ♦ "Ich habe die Aschkarte gesorgen." ♦ 20 hours in Vienna...*sigh* ♦ A return to my lovely Magyarorszag. :) ♦ The World Cup Finals on a terrace. ♦ Kecskemet, Kecskemet! Allomas! ♦ Bienvenidos a los Estados Unidos de America. ♦ Continuing to kick my little sister's butt at Scrabble. ♦ Maybe, I'm just going to end up on a gay tour of Tuscany, impulsively buy a fix-it-upper villa, and learn to speak Italian. ♦ Oh yeah,...I almost joined to Coast Guard...that's funny in and of itself. ♦ 4 more weddings... ♦ Jeni's...I drank that Kool-Aid... ♦ Q signed me up to sing at a Gospel Methodist church. ♦ Record-breaking phone conversations with Katie. :) ♦ If you give a 2-year old a pickle, approximately 30 minutes of entertainment has been provided for a mere 40 cents. ♦ Year 23. ♦ The Adventures of Sarah and Samantha. ♦ A brief hiatus from singing. ♦ "Jesus loves me...so it's all good!" ♦ The Grad School application process. ♦ Laryngitis. ♦ Rainbow promises. ♦ Grad School applications submitted. ♦ "Never regret anything because at one point, it was exactly what you wanted." ♦ A new computer. ♦ A random Facebook chat catch-up with an old friend. ♦ Chicago, Chicago! ♦ A lovely lesson with Ms. Sunny Joy. ♦ Christkindlmarkt and mulled wine! ♦ Goodbye, Great Grandma in the Mountains. ♦ A charming letter from Janos and a Christmas greeting from Agi. ♦ Home for the Holidays. :) ♦ Welcome to the roller coaster of my life. ;) 

On to 2011! Bring it on! It's going to be a crazy year, some big changes and decisions, and a whole lot of ridiculousness, but we'll make it through! ;)

Cheers!

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The DVR. A recent luxury in our house...and one that I certainly don't have at my apartment. (Although that would be nice! haha!) Last night when I got home, PBS was showing Great Performances. It was of the LA Philharmonic's opening gala, featuring the beautiful Juan Diego Florez. :) Since it was past 1am, of course I fell asleep, but thanks to the DVR, I can now finish watching it and listening to his gorgeous voice! Mmm! ;)

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Dad likes to take Xander outside for snowmobile rides, and Xander freaks out about it. He does a whole happy dance and everything. That kid is like a little snow puffkin or something. haha! It seriously cracks me up to watch "the boys" together. It's pretty adorable. And hysterical.

Holidays in the Country

This could also be titled as "Hello Hello Hellooo From the Land of Dial-Up"...or "Samantha's Semi-Vacation from Constant Technology"! haha! It seems to happen when I come home that I all but completely abandon the cell phone, the constant Facebook livefeed and status stream, and checking/responding to the email inbox every 12 minutes. Part of it is because of the lovely...dial-up...connection, and also from some sudden I-don't-really-care-who-just-opened-a-box-of-mac-'n-cheese-and-whoever-sent-the-email-can-wait-to-hear-my-responses-next-week attitude that takes hold when I enter back into the Snowbelt. 

I think I will recount a record of Christmas through pictures and a particular media clip or two, but those will have to be inserted later when I am back on the hi-speed side of things. (Provided the internet at my apartment decides to actually work! Argh! Paying a lot of money for it to stop working!) So for now, I will just leave this post with a gratitude, and check back to this one at a later date when it will be revised. :) Who knows...I might get brave and work on some of them here in Timbuktu...but don't count too much on that! hehe!
 

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There's nothing like having Christmas with a 2-year old in the house...  ;)

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Last night, I received a very sweet letter from János! How fun! This made me very happy! :) :) :)

Home tonight! See you from the dial-up side! ;)

Rest easy, Great Grandma in the Mountains.

Last night, I received word that my final living great grandparent passed away. She will be missed but not forgotten. My mom always told me she was one of the strongest women she ever knew. A regular "Annie Oakley." And her quilts made with loving care continue keep us warm on cold, winter nights. ♥


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On Sunday morning, the last Sunday of Advent, I had been hired to sing at a Lutheran church service...in the ghetto. Oh, dear. (I was slightly frightened for my life...yes, I am being overly melodramatic, but truthfully, it was not the most "ideal" surrounding location for the church to be positioned...) The three pages of music I had to sing, in short, were awfully written and boring. Nonetheless, there are just some times in life when you have to sing "crap." (I feel bad saying that about a religious piece, but it's true. I love the text...The Song of Mary...but it's setting was tragically mundane.) To get to my point and beyond the properties of this piece of music, however, I witnessed something incredible at that church. There was a complete sense of community within the congregation; something you don't see much of anywhere these days. It's usually just people going through the motions and drive-by hellos. Not there, though. Each person in the congregation displayed a willingness to help, kindness, and sincere caring about how everyone is and what each is doing. (The "Sign of Peace," alone, took about five minutes because everyone in the entire place was hugging everyone else and shaking hands!) What a special thing! And to witness at Christmastime!  :) 

It is just three days till Christmas...off to PA home tomorrow!  :)

Christmastime in Chi-Town

 

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All of the below...except for the leaving Chicago part. ;)

Monday morning, my buddy Anthony and I practically froze our toes off waiting to catch the megabus to Chicago. So exciting!! :)  Approximately a 6 1/2 - 7 hr bus ride but SO worth it (and the price is right!). We chatted and gossiped and so many jokes along the way! And of course, we were the loudest people on the bus...i.e. no one else was talking whatsoever. haha!

Arrived downtown Chicago around dusk and had a little adventure trying to locate Katie and Bryan, who had come to meet us at Union Square Station. Anthony said when we began our adventure that morning that he liked traveling with me because I was so organized and took care of all the details. Well, he also found out as soon as we arrived in Chicago that part of traveling with me is going every direction BUT the one we were supposed to go in FIRST. I think it's funny and just go with the ridiculousness...and amazingly, so did he! We asked this dude if he knew where the entrance hall that we were looking for was, and he pointed us in the direction. We left before him, but somehow he was standing beside us, once again, as soon as we got off the escalator, pointing around the corner. We have no idea how he got there before us. Weird! haha!

Took the Metra out to Evanston, where Katie and Bry live, and had a lovely evening at their adorable chatting and catching up on life. (Seriously, their place is perfect. I love it. I'd live there in a snap!) Chicago-style deep-dish pizza from our voice teacher Lynn's favorite place, Carmen's. (Lynn is an alumna of Northwestern University, where Katie now studies...and hopefully I will as well...possibly...;)...more on that in a minute.)

Home Alone house :o

Tuesday took us to Northwestern University for a little looksy around...and a voice lesson with the lovely Ms. Sunny Joy Langton. :) Katie currently studies with her and arranged for me to meet and work with her for a bit. I observed Katie's lesson and then sang a little myself. She is such a sweetheart. :) The incredible difference in my high notes...and all capacities of my vocal range...over those mere 20-30 minutes was slightly startling. I'm beginning to discover exactly what my natural voice is and free the tones in my voice, creating that shimmery tapestry of overtones that a soprano must weave. :)

There's something about that place...not a "pulls-at-the-heartstrings" thing, like I [usually unfortunately] let myself be guided by. No, it's something different than all that. It's a sense; a sense of how somethings are simply meant to be. It's very difficult to explain in words and to an audience that is not just specifically me. And I won't even begin to try to explain the irony of the entire situation! Let's just say that if "signs" were dropped for me to follow, they were placed there. Literally in a physical sense. It's weird. That's the only word that can explain it. Not allowed to get too attached to anything, though, because nothing is known yet...

After our time at NU, we went into Chicago for the Christkindlmarkt, the German-style Christmas markets! LOVE IT! :) It was soooo cool. (And soooo cold! Windchill of -5°F...approx. -20°C for you folks on the metric system!) Glühwein, Bratwurst, Brezeln, Magenbrot...Yum! Got to practice my German a little, too, because everyone working there was German. Fun times! :)

A bitterly cold walk to the Trump Tower for drinks graciously provided my Ann and Carl McGookey at Rebar. (Thanks, guys! That was really sweet of you!) Then, The El back to Evanston. I must say, I really like the transportation systems of Chicago...which is really important in my life. ;)

Wednesday, Bryan had to work, so Anthony, Katie, and I went into Chicago without him for awhile to explore The Magnificent Mile. A cute hat from H&M (yes...actually a store we could afford! haha!), harassed by Santa in the Hershey store, Garret's caramel crisp popcorn, Starbucks Christmas blend coffee, and a nice rest in the hotel lobby where Starbucks happened to be located. Dinner in Evanston with Bryan, our own mulled wine, and a viewing of The Audition. 

I'd say, a lovely, much-needed, inspiring, and happy adventure. :) I've missed my Katie and Bryan. Also, Anthony has taken to calling me "Lucia" for some reason. So I guess that's my new name. Ridiculous! haha! Funny that he did this pretty much all of yesterday, which we found out last night happened to be St. Lucia Day... 

Now, I'm on my way back to boring ol' Ohio. *sigh*  How I wish I had not have had to leave Chicago... It is very simply a quintessentially "Samantha" city, and I could see myself living there very happily. Freezing cold winters, yes, but totally survivable! haha! I love the cold, anyhow. And actually, while we were on the CTA yesterday, I had this image/premonition of living there and leading my dad around the city as he freaked out about how many people there were and how "scary" it was. haha! He is definitely the complete opposite of a city slicker. But he would be coming to visit, along with the whole family. And he would survive!

Perhaps soon, I shall live there...perhaps... ;)

Winter Wonderland

And today came the snow that was missing from yesterday's activities! ;) There's probably about 3 inches out there. (That's a lot for these parts! haha!) I, of course, discovered that I left my snow boots in PA. That was brilliant! :-/

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Rankin/Bass Christmas movies. :)

Also, last night I had a dream that I went out with Josh Groban. My question: how do we make this happen in real life?! hehe! ;)

Off to Chicago in the a.m.! Yay!

Only thing missing is the snow...

...from a wonderful winter afternoon/evening at Barb's house. Baked chocolate chip cookies. (I was going to make them at my apartment, but she insisted on me doing it there, so her house would smell yummy! haha!) A delicious dinner. An awesome coaching session on Baby Doe! A fire in the fireplace. Hot chocolate prepared superbly by her husband Tim. And cozied up to watch Rankin/Bass's Santa Claus Is Coming To Town with the girls Gretchen and Kate. :)

While I was baking the cookies, Kate informed me as she was prancing around with a halo headband on her head that she wants to be a fairy when she grows up. Hysterical and adorable! I told her I want to be one, too! ;)  (Just so you know, I am still upset that Phyllis never got wings in Iolanthe...she became a fairy at the end, too! haha!)

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The other night, I ended up Facebook chatting with a dear friend from my high school years with whom I worked opposite in the community theatre we were involved in. Over those few years, he was my Captain von Trapp, my gray-haired mister, my king, my audition duets partner, my dance partner...and my junior prom date. ;) Now, he's temporarily living in CT, auditioning in NYC, and looking to move to Boston for a more permanent place. We did a little catching up on life and exchanged a few recording files/links. Favorite part of our hour-long conversation: After listening to one of my clips, he exclaimed, "You're voice is so smooth! Seriously, you're very buttery!" Buttery...well, that's one I've never heard before! haha! I miss that kid! :)

Monday, I'm off to Chicago for a few days to visit with my Katie darling and her hubby Bry Bry! ;) And...I found out today the surprise they've been plotting...we're going to the Christkindlmarkt!!!! YAY! SO. EXCITED. Not Budapest or Vienna, but pretty fantastically close! (Or at least as close as I'll get without going across the pond...hehe!)

And although I should be going to bed because tomorrow has become a very full day, I am currently watching White Christmas on TV. I LOVE this movie! So good. So many memories. So much fabulousness. :)

Why, yes, I did just post...and here's another one!

Because I seriously just need to say it...

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I am sure I've said it before, but I will say it, again: I am so thankful for Leonardo Vordoni and Joyce Didonato and their personality-filled postings and interaction with the world. Never before have I seen such down-to-earth involved opera/music superstars. Thanks, guys! ;)

Gretchen the Matchmaker

So apparently, Barb's little 7-year old daughter, Gretchen, thinks it's blasphemy that I don't have a boyfriend and is now trying to play "matchmaker." Oh, dear!! How ridiculous!

Yesterday afternoon, I went to see the Chapel Choir's Christmas Festival...that "wonderful" festivity I sang in for 3 years. (There was a minus one because of my semester in Hungary.) It was very nice. Sometimes, like the first few songs the choir sang, I get nostalgic over the aesthetic of having been in that choir, the many memories, and the "family." It's very different being on the "other side" of things now (and a lot less stressful!). And no Katie, Bryan, and the rest of the crew around. However, one week from today, I shall be schlepping out to Chicago for a few fabulous adventure-filled days with Katie and Bry Bry! ;)

I have had to work the closing shift for the past three days in a row following already fairly full days (minus Saturday's laziness!)...  Getting hours is good, but my legs just ache like crazy! Last night I laid on the living room floor, not wanting to move! No work or anything today but still plenty I should do...however, it is 1:30pm, and I have just now showered... Oh, well! haha! Still a good 10 or 12 hours left of the day! ;)

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The smell of Freeze-It hairspray and the millions of memories it holds...in addition to holding your hairstyle! haha! Yes, it's a very odd thing to like...and I am noticing that there is some trend in my gratitudes lately that revolve around the sensory of smell for some reason...  There's just something about certain smells that triggers reminiscence and happiness.  :)

Cookie Time!

One thing I really love and shouldn't have as much of as I do: COOKIES! yum! ;) And of course, baking cookies at Christmastime is a MUST! Last night, I got on a bit of baking frenzy and had a good ol' mess all over the kitchen...flour all over me, sloppy mixing bowls filling the sink, and sprinkles strewn everywhere. Fabulous! haha! I've been quite grouchy lately, and I don't much know why, so it helped degrouchify a bit. ;)  (The cup of hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps might have helped, too...hehe!) Unfortunately, now I have lots of leftover cookies from the trays I handed out this morning...and I keep eating them! Nem jo! haha!

I don't like being grouchy. And then I scold myself for being grouchy when I am...and that just makes me grouchier. Ugh. It's a vicious cycle! (I suppose it's kind of humorous, though!)

Also, I don't know how I failed to share a few Xander anecdotes that occurred while I was at home last week, so here they are:

His new thing is knock-knock jokes. However, he hasn't exactly figured out how they work because he just answers "ME!" to "Who's there?" Oh, man!

He also has a thing for messes. He'll be chucking things out of a toy box or something while exclaiming, "What a mess!" over and over, again. One morning, I was brushing my teeth, and when he saw the toothpaste on my face he remarked, "You're a mess!" haha!

And...it's potty-training time. (Insert doom fanfare here...haha) When he has to go potty, it's a huge production, and everyone has to go in the bathroom. Well, if he's in there when you are going and hears the tinkle sound, he goes berserk saying, "You go potty! Good job!" and giving a round of applause. Ridiculous!

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Yesterday evening (before the cookie baking endeavor), I went with Barb to help with the girls at their dress rehearsal for the ballet they are in. Oh, the bonding Barb and I did in those four hours! haha! We were checking out and commenting on this gorgeous--seemingly straight--dancer named Emelio. Oh, goodness! Certainly ridiculousness did ensue and many jokes formed! (Although, Gretchen and Kate's dancing experience was far from the same as mine was! That was a little over the top for a 4 and a 7 year old!) It was a much-needed and welcomed little step away from the stress, worries, and anxieties of the past week! 

A Thought (provide by Stumble):

The First Snow

It's December 1st, and we had our first snow. :)  (Not sticking, though. Lame!)

Also, I am watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas on ABC Family's "25 Days of Christmas" (said in the jingle singsong fashion, of course!). My question: What if we were actually living on a snowflake...?

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I love the smell of snow. Yes, snow, just like rain, has a distinct smell, and it's fabulous. I also love peppermints. Actually, anything peppermint...cocoa, body wash, candles, candy canes...Yankee Candle has a Christmas scent called "The North Pole," and it smells like peppermint and vanilla and snow...i.e. the best smells in the world! ;)

Finally...an update!

I am so awful at posting these past few weeks! I apologize for yet another hiatus! There have been many ups and downs the past couple weeks, all summing up that technology is literally out to do me in! Not even joking.

Okay...so here's the low-down:

Applications all submitted! (And even a CD sent over to Hungary for Janos.) Woot! Now, just the dreadful waiting process to see what is to come.

ArtsApp is stupid. (Online submission portfolio to send your recordings to schools. Seriously doesn't work and cause of many headaches.)

Skyped with Quinton last week! I seriously miss Hungary! :(

Got to go home for Thanksgiving! A whole 3 days! Crazy, I know. ;)

Xander is totally ridiculous. Quite the personality going on there.

New computer! It's fuschia! Ooooh! haha! ;)  (This, of course, means I'm broke...again...blah!)

Christmas lights hung in my apartment. :)

Oh, yes...it is officially the Christmas season! Yay Christmas music! ...But where's my snow?!

My Christmas list is pretty pathetic...it's sad how filled with needs it is...and that I want these things that I need.

Today, I was looking at old picture CDs...wow, does my family have some ridiculous expressions! haha! Can you seriously just look at some of these, please (except my family probably won't appreciate it the publicity of these...hehe!):

Seriously, I wish I remembered exactly what happened in each of these situations to promote such expressions...and how the camera had to catch that exact moment. Makes for some pretty good laughter later, though! haha! ;)


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So...Quinton composed another piece for me last week. While we were on Skype, he asked me to open the Bible randomly and give him a verse; it landed on Psalm 142. In my email last night, I received the completed 5-page work for soprano and organ. Today, I got to look at it...I seriously LOVE this piece! Not to toot his horn, but it is really good. Each piece he's written for me has topped the previous one. This "Muse" is loving it. And what's more incredible is the fact that he magically creates things that fit perfectly in my voice. Upon first glance at them, they look ridiculous and impossible with their extreme ranges (bottom--and sometimes below--the staff and up a 6th above the staff over just a few measures), but the first read-through confirms that it was tailored just for me (and optional notes for whoever else may one day sing them! haha!). I don't know how he does it...and he's even 6000 miles away from me currently, so he hasn't been around me or my voice for months! 

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Putting together/wearing artsy outfits. :) I don't know why, but this seems to have become my "creative outlet," but on days when I have to work, I don't get to do this...so there end up being days like today when I spend two hours getting ready...while I should actually be doing something productive. haha! (I seriously need to get a life apparently!)


Recording in one week! Eek! Excited, nervous, anxious. Just want it done and done well. :) For now, I am just trying to keep the voice under control and even. (Not that you probably cared to know, but the sinus drainage has caused a flare-up in my LPR. Awesome. Another thing to try to counteract. Why do I have to be a hot mess health-wise?! It's the graduate school application curse!)

I'm ready for a big move in my life. It's time. There comes a point when you need to step beyond your comfort walls. It has become something of a normalcy in my life to do that, constantly push those boundaries. Without that, I would not be who I am; I would not grow. There's also something to be said that once you travel, life is never the same. And the yearning to travel, again, is always within you.

I've been thinking a lot over my trip this past summer. How I miss the lifestyle I had those two weeks. How I've been longing for all the things you hate about travel while it's happening: airports, rushing from gate to gate, lugging around your suitcase cursing yourself out for still packing too much, not knowing where or how to get from where you are to where you need/want to be, wearing the same clothes...yet again, another shared room in a hostel, ambiguity...  The curiosity of what marvel could be down the next winding, cobblestone street. Sipping wine at a cafe while people-watching. Practicing (aka fumbling through) my broken knowledge of the languages. And how I feel I probably didn't embrace my time abroad as fully as I could've/should've. Silly anxiety, I know. I've been so lucky to travel as I have. It sucks, though, to have no idea when, if, or how the opportunity may arise, again. (I'm clearly addicted to travel! I need my fix!)

However, a new American adventure awaits me. Chicago? Boston? I don't know which it will be. That's God's choice once those recordings are posted to the schools and the outcomes of whatever auditions I may receive. Que será, será...

I'll leave you with a few fun things I found today:

 

AND...Lady Gaga was mentioned in this month's issue of Opera News. Yes, I've seen it with my own eyes. In an article written by Brian Kellow, he says, 

"'Diva' has become one of the most misused and over-used words in the vernacular, but I'm about to give in and accept it, just I've damned near given in and accepted the horrible use that's made of "hope...fully" and "access," everywhere from the conversations you overhear at your corner bar to the anchors; desks at CNN. The word belongs most correctly to the pop world - is there any question that Lady Gaga (who has one of the best voices I've ever heard) embodies divadom more completely than anyone currently working in opera? (Yes, Miss Gheorghiu - I see that your hand is up, but I'm not going to call on you.)..."

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Tonight at home church (aka Bible study), we had a huge dinner beforehand. YUM! So much deliciousness. (I didn't know it was happening until about 2 hours prior!)  Pretty much made my night. :) Saturday night, I get to go to part of the retreat they are having this weekend, too. (Unfortunately, I have to work all day/night Friday and Saturday during the day, so I don't get to go for the whole weekend...but at least I found out tonight I can make some of it!) 

Tomorrow = crazy day of babysitting and work. :(  I'll get through it, though. ;)

I must be easily spooked lately. I don't know why because I don't do the whole scary movie, creepy Halloween deal; I do the silly, cute, funny Halloween deal. On Saturday, though, I was organizing one of the freezers at work and must of scraped the ice with one of the packages. However, I thought my coworker had sneaked up behind me, trying to scare me, and I spooked myself...I literally jumped back and screamed...while there was a whole store-full of people. Oh, geez! Then, today, I was walking into the conservatory, humming, and thinking about Lynn (you can see the window to her office as you walk up to the building). I opened the door, and there stood Lynn, who was walking out. I am not exactly sure what I exclaimed in that moment, but it was a really funny scenario...after the spook factor. haha!

Happy Halloween!

Young Frankenstein and a Munsters marathon?! Yes, please! ;)

Unfortunately, the garbage disposal ate a spoon this afternoon, AND my computer is now in critical condition. :( Why is it that everything goes/happens at once...esp. when it involves large sums of money?? Is there something in the universe that makes this happen? haha!

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No work last night, so...Sarah and I went to the movies! Fun! (It has been so long since I have been to the movies that I literally cannot remember when it was or what was seen!) Life As You Know It = hilarious. Possibly mostly only from a babysitter/nanny/caretaker point of view, but still. I was cracking up the whole time. :) Oh, children!

I hate my uvula.

Yes, I sincerely do. Stupid uvula and your supposed dropping of mucus into my digestive tract. Clearly, you are failing at life, so you better fix your problems quick and stop causing me issues! Grrr!

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Today, I finished submitted my grad school applications!! Yay! Now, literally all that's left is the recording. :) AND...I booked tickets to go visit my Katie darling and Bry Bry in Chicago the second week of December!! Double yay! :) Oh! And I also got to hand out trick-or-treat candy at Barb's house this evening! hehe!

A tired, grumpy voice and then an irritating phone call this evening, however, made a grand start to this weekend. Not! Please let us not see a repeat of last weekend's dreadfulness!

October Rain

And God continues trying to remind me...

I got soaked walking home from babysitting this evening from the "drizzling" rain. (It was very nearly pouring.) And what happens as soon as I get to my apartment? It stops raining. Go figure. But then, right outside window/balcony appears a HUGE full arch--and rather vivid--rainbow. :) I grabbed my camera and ran out on the balcony...soaking the pants I had just changed into... haha!

This weekend: Awful. Grrr!! So many angry things, which don't need to be elaborated upon.

Sunday: Somewhat redeemed the weekend by the fabulous productivity/creative genius streak that occurred around 5pm...I whipped out my personal statements for my grad school applications AND had a great ground-breaking practice session (let's pray that stays!!)! Bazinga!

Monday: Brilliant. :)  Gratitude 282--Awesomeness applause for the day went out to: Joanne at College Loan Corp., Karen from the university loan office, the student secretary in the registrar for putting together my transcripts ON THE SPOT, and Eric in Career Services for his phenomenally prompt response on reviewing my essays. Thank you, guys! ;)

Today: Mostly successful. Clearly, this evening, my productivity level is bordering on zero, but whatever...I'll be up a few more hours anyhow, so there's still time. ;)

Question of the day: Why does it seemingly take 17,000 people to set up and make my recordings happen?! Okay, yes I'm exaggerating...it's more like 7, but still. Schedule coordinating is the biggest stressor of my life! I want this to be kick-ass, but I also am ready for it just to be done! Recording is awesome in the sense that you then have put a physical stamp in musical history (regardless of whether or not it is a commercial recording). However, it is unbelievably nerve-wracking, taxing, and stressful. You want so much to have the "perfect" live take (esp. since it isn't a commercial setting where small things will be digitally mastered), you are on edge and somewhat tense because anytime you screw up, that take is scrapped. :-/ That, and it is just a pure pain in the ass trying to get everyone in the same place and on the same page at the same time. I am discovering that nothing is ever "ideal."

And...last but not least...for your boredom or viewing pleasure, here are some ridiculously fabulous things I've stumbled upon recently while I should have been working on my essay revisions...ENJOY! ;)


How To Tick People Off  (My favorites are #7, 11, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 32! haha!)
Collected Quotes from Albert Einstein  (A genius...AND witty!)

I LOVE this improv group...they are hysterical and so brilliant! (I hope he had hand sanitizer with him that day, though...eek!)

This is just awesome...and I'm sure he had too much time on his hands to come up with this! ;)

To experience the world as it lives through the eyes of a photographer...

I have always been caught up by photography. I love looking at it; I love taking it and playing with the photos. If I could, I'd have one of those crazy awesome cameras and a sweet computer system for it. ;) 

Gratitude 281
I came across this website last night (okay, okay! I was Stumbling! The things you discover in college during exam week! haha!): Scott Stulberg Photography

I have been absolutely mesmerized by his photography. It's incredible. I seriously spent a couple hours looking at the slide shows. To see the world as this guy sees it would just be an amazing thing. (And what does he specialize in?! Stock photography. I guess what a way to make money! haha!)   :)

A Promise

This picture has a peculiar purpose in my life. One far bigger than I think I actually have realized. (I only wish I had let this soak in more it at the moment it appeared to me.) It's been a really long day, and somehow, this was in my mind the whole day. This picture, this moment. God was speaking to me then, even though I didn't completely understand His language...and still often don't. Why is it so difficult for us humans to wait for that his special, individually-conformed "promises" to be revealed?

P.S. I didn't actually intend to add these videos to the post. Only the picture. In a sense, I hope it doesn't take away from the power of the photograph. In another, I feel it contributes to the depth behind the apologetically vague posting.

Gratitude 280
Those pesky leftovers in the fridge that end up saving your life on days filled with lots of scurrying around place-to-place. Thank you to not passing out (and there's no big Herman dude around to call me "sunshine" if I did, either! haha!). ;)   

Gratitude 279: A List

Things that make me smile...

☺  The fluffy, fuzziness of brand new socks.
☺  Sweet, yummy pears from the tree back home.
☺  Hot homemade pear crisp from those pears over top Salty Caramel ice cream. :d
☺  Watching Beauty and the Beast when I'm supposed to be doing doing something 
      productive.
☺  A 3-hour-and-53-minute conversation with my darling Katie. 
☺  Discovering music that's been hidden away on your ipod.
☺  The crisp, cold weather that is finally beginning to set in. 
      (Maybe my allergies will chill out, too, and let me be able to sing, again! Oy!)
☺  Dick van Dyke movies.
☺  Reading quotes.
☺  Wearing pretty scarves and sweaters.
☺  Trees whose leaves turn orange and yellow in the fall.
☺  Days off. (Even though that means no dough coming into my bank account...)
☺  Taking silly quizzes on Facebook.
☺  Comedy and witty statements.
☺  Portable hand sanitizer. (Yes, I know...so "American" of me!)