Today was:

The most agonizing and stressful day of my life thus far and also consumed my entire day. Long story short, it didn't yield promising or happy results, either.

I spent some time relaxing in Mirabell Gardens. While on my way out of the Gardens, some probably American was mimicking the operatic sounds of vocalises floating over from the building next door. Fabulous! I wandered around a bit in New Town and eventually ended back in Altstadt where I found some dinner and a nice glass of much-needed wine at a little cafe. I finally ate my first real meal since leaving the States. (For some reason, when I travel, I can't eat much in the beginning. Maybe it's the anxiety of it all. Keine Ahnung.) What amused me the most is that as I was sitting there, I realized that my waiter was wearing lederhosen, which appeared to be his typical daily attire, and the sign for the cafe had a picture of an Oscar award. Random.

It started to rain in the evening. Just a light sprinkle. And then there was a rainbow arching out from the Fortress.

Gratitude 237

The curator for the auditions was an angel to the overwhelming and frustrating day. He helped me when I was completely at a loss. Thank you, Mr. Dude, whose name I never caught. I really appreciate it. Even if things didn't ultimately turn out well.

On a final note, I just want to ask for you to withhold the patronizing remarks and the questions. I don't really want to talk about it. If and when I do, I'll let you know. Please and thank you.

The hills are alive.

They certainly are! I never thought there would be so much traffic in Salzburg. I ought to be heading to bed because tomorrow is my audition, but I wanted to post a quick update from Europe and a few pictures.

Today, I explored the Altstadt. Mozartplatz, the Dom, St. Peter's Cemetery (where the idea for the grave scene in The Sound of Music came from), the Glockenspiel, Franziskanerkirche, Toscaninihof, the steps to the Festspielhaus (didn't see it, though), and Mozart's Geburtshaus. Grabbed a bite to eat at a little cafe down one of the side streets around Altstadt. The Altstadt is very charming. :)

Went back to my room for a rest and then adventured out again to explore the Mozarteum and find a place to practice. I stumbled upon the Mirabell Gardens (how can you miss them...they are right beside the school...literally!) and am in love with them. After seeing that, I think I could definitely live here for awhile. haha! ;) Met a nice little American family who asked me to take their picture, and then with the help of a random Mozarteum student, found my way to a practice room. Praying for the best tomorrow. Audition at 12:30pm (Austrian time, of course).

Starting to finally figure out at least part of this little city after getting lost on various occasions. (I am pretty sure I can officially get lost in a paper bag.) Overwhelmed by life at the moment, and feeling a little lot lonely much of the time. (I was ridiculously enough comforted by the slew of American tourists speaking English...BUT I didn't just admit that! haha! One was even wearing an OSU t-shirt...oh, dear! Never actually that far from home, are you?) God sent me here for a reason, however, and hopefully, he'll clue me in at some point. For now, I'll just chill with my man Mozart. ;)

Gratitude 236
The Mirabell Gardens. :)

Arrival

I'm here! It's been one hell of a day. Let's just leave it at that. Praying tomorrow is a thousand times better!

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My private room here in Salzburg. It is practically like I rented a little apartment for the week (minus a kitchen, anyway, but it has it's own shower and toilet!!). The innkeeper, Erika, even greeted me by name when I arrived. :)

The Best Seat in the Church

Katie and Bryan's wedding was absolutely gorgeous! :) The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was great fun.

All the excitement began the day before at the bridal luncheon and the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner in the evening...and then bright and early at 6:30am for us girls at the salon from 7:30-10. Such fun! They brought us a lovely catered breakfast at the salon...and even a toaster! That just cracked me up! hehe! ;) But it was pretty fabulous!

Back to the hotel to get in our pretty dresses and picked up by the party bus limo! :) To the church for pictures and such. Ceremony. Crying. More pictures. Even more pictures. A bit of champagne on the party bus. Cocktail hour. Pictures, again. Toasts. A couple glasses of champagne. Dinner. Mingling. And then the dance party began! We danced the night away! (Even a dance with Uncle Mick!) Fabulous time.

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The happiness and love that my Katie and Bry Bry share. I have never seen Katie look so beautiful and so happy. I wish you all the best, my dearest friends! It was an honor to sing at your wedding. :) And my favorite part of the day was the view from where I was sitting: I was seated behind the pulpit because I was singing, and from there, I could see everyone's faces the whole time, esp. Bryan and Katie's...best seat in the church. The best moment: I had just sat down after singing "Liebst du um Schoenheit" by Mahler, and I saw the girls and Katie sneak out the side door to come around the front of the church. :)

(Photo credits: Carl McGookey)

More on the wedding and more pictures to come over the next few weeks...very possibly not till I return to the States, though...

Now, it is off to Europe in just a few hours. Nervous. Excited. It's just unbelievable at most. Tomorrow this time in the States, I'll be in Salzburg. :) Crazy! Second star to the right and on till morning...

It's always an adventure when I'm around....and that certainly makes for interesting stories!

Never really a dull moment in my life! On our road trip up for the wedding, Caitie and I kept running into weather with tourettes. It'd be nice and sunny, then a downpour, sun, and then little blurps of spitting rain. Weird.

About 3/4 of the way here, we hit an awful storm, and Bryan called to inform us that there was a tornado warning...and we were in the path of the storm. Lovely. Remaining calm and like a good friend would do, I didn't tell Caitie any of this. (Twenty minutes prior, she had informed me of her deathly fear of tornadoes.) I just told her, "Caitie, we're turning into the next driveway and going to ask to go inside." She didn't understand why or what, but I just told her to do. Being in the middle of the country, there was nothing but a house every half-mile or so, so there wasn't any other choice. My own alarm came when everything went completely dead; the rain stopped, the wind calmed, and the clouds were creepy dark with light puffs and a pinkish haze: the calm before the storm.

So...we knocked on some random house and asked to seek refuge. That could have turned out horrifically or terrifically. Thankfully, God was watching out for us (Gratitude 234), and the old man that lived there was very kind. And we somehow picked the poshest house in the area...the basement was decked out with a humongous flat screen and leather couches. geez! We chilled out there for about 20 minutes, and then all was cool. And now we're here safe and sound! (Caitie found out later in the day yesterday the whole truth about the storm situation...she wasn't too happy but very glad she didn't know in the midst of it all.)

We then spent the evening tying a million purple ribbons on the chocolate-dipped pretzel favors, rolling the programs into scrolls and tying ribbons on them, AND I got to decorate the giant basket for the programs with ribbons. :) It took nearly three hours, but it looks pretty!!! (And don't worry...Ann would not allow me the use of glitter.)

I don't know how I possibly could have slept last night after so much giggling, reminiscing, excitement, and the realization that there is a wedding in two days...and Europe in three!! Eek! :)  ...And I had THE weirdest dream... haha!

The Adventures Begin!

Last-minute errands a-go. Luggage lined up for loading. Checklist set. Commence: wedding weekend. Here we go! Here we go! ;)

Gratitude 233
Texting with my dad while both watching America's Got Talent. Insane!! "I'll be, I"ll be, I'll be in my studio, in my, in my studio!" Oh geez! ;)

How to Make a Suitcase Lose 5lbs:

Never gonna happen! haha! ;) I borrowed my neighbor's scale to check the weight of my suitcase, and it is safely within the airline weight restrictions. However, I'd love to figure out how to knock a few pounds off of it, so I don't have to worry about tiptoeing around the weight limit coming back with my little extras...and perhaps lighten the complications of lugging a huge bag around. Hmm... I suppose it'll just have to do. ;)

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I have the best neighbors ever! (Well, minus the one across the hall...pretty sure I am the spawn of Satan to them because I am "obnoxious." If I am not listening to music of some sort, I am making music, and I don't think they appreciate that...oh, well!) Dina and Narmina are such neighborly neighbors. I love it! Last night, Q and I made a yummy dinner and banana bread. I didn't have enough eggs for the bread, so Narmina presented us with an egg, and in return, we took some warm banana bread down to her and Dina's apartments. They are so cute!


I have come to the conclusion that I live in the international travel guru building....and surrounded by Russians! haha! ;) Dina just came back from Japan (I didn't even know she'd gone! Oops...), I leave this week, and the following week, Narmina is off to some Russian country, which she says so fast and with such a thick accent, I haven't a clue what it is...wherever her homeland is.

Yesterday was pretty much zero productivity level, but that's alright....however, that means today needs to be in motion to get everything done! I watched Roman Holiday with my friend Kristin. I love Audrey Hepburn. That movie is sooo good, too! :) So happy! "Joe, we can't go running around town with a hot princess!" haha! Priceless.

Also, my laptop was literally crumbling in my hand yesterday...a piece of the plastic casing broke off. *sigh* How lovely. I have this feeling that the poor thing may not survive another trip to Europe, but regardless, it must come along. Someone may find it thrown from a train somewhere in Austria if it decides to crossover. haha! Hang on just a little while longer, mister laptop! You can do it! (However, if anyone would like to donate a new notebook or netbook to the Samantha foundation, I certainly won't stop them...  hehe!)

Today has been fairly productive. A steady pace, I'd say. Babysat Kate and Gretchen for a little bit late this morning and ran a couple errands to the conservatory. (I think Todd, the facilities manager, is getting tired of seeing me all the time...I never leave! haha!) Practiced piano, despite its hopelessness, and I work with Chad for a last run-through of my audition materials in a couple hours. Then, the evening will be spent with last-minute details because...

Tomorrow I leave for the big wedding shindig...and 5 days till Europe! :)

12:46pm and I already feel like I've been through an entire day of events!

Apparently, that is what it feels like to get up at 6:30am. haha!

After much begging and pleading by Chad a few days ago, I sang special music at both church services this morning. I must really like that man to do such a big favor so early in the morning. ;)  I "complain" about it (merely because it is too early for singing in this diva's world), but it is such an uplifting thing to do...it reminds me of why I do what I do and that it is really God's voice, not mine; I just get to borrow it for awhile. I am also reminded, once again, of a dear friend's words to me: the greatest possible sin is in not using the gifts bestowed upon you. (And as for the earliness, there will most certainly be a thousand more times in my career when I'll be singing bright and early...starting with my audition next week!)

Speaking of which, one week from today, I will be flying over the vast, beautiful blue to the lands of foreign languages, colorful currencies, fruitful wines, and Mozart! What a wonderful life I live. Thank you, God, for each most amazing day! Lucky.

Gratitude 231
Deodorant. ;) What can I say...I like not smelling. hehe!


Now, I must begin my climb of Mount Everest (aka cleaning the apartment! haha!) and practicing those little things called piano and German. ;) So, I shall leave you for the day with these quotes I found this morning on my iGoogle page, mainly because they just made me chuckle:

"Do not fear to be eccentric in my opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric."  ~Bertrand Russell

"I like life. It's something to do."  ~Ronnie Shakes

"Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs, it is the rule."  ~Friedrich Nietzsche


P.S. Happy Daddy's Day! :) 

My beautiful and imperfect life.

Despite the fact that I should be studying and practicing right now, I have instead been loading music onto my ipod and flipping through some of my old postings. My conclusion: I live a beautiful, blessed, happy, and imperfect life. And I love it. (Yes, even the imperfection of it all...I may be a perfectionist when it comes to my work, but ultimately, the beauty of everything is held within their imperfections.)

Europe in 8 days! EEK! As unnerving as it seems, somehow, the beauty of this trip is in the not knowing what's going to come out of it...out of this gut feeling that has led me to it.

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This blog. It's been a fascinating outlet for my excitements, frustrations, disappointments, clever notions, amateur photography attempts, memory keeper, and witness to my life journey thus far, and I hope it may continue to be all of the above. :) 

P.S. There is a giant, creepy bug beside me that I am glad is on the other side of the window glass! haha!

An hour later...

About an hour after I made my post for the day, the postman showed up with a huge package for me from Mom and the family, which I have been subsequently playing with all of the contents. Yay! Lots of fun things for my trip! Thanks, guys!

Included was my cute scrunch dress (my travel outfit!) that was accidentally taken to PA, flashlights (Mom's worried about my safety...how sweet.), bunches of cards, green stickers!, a lovely graduation congratulations note from my 4th grade teacher, these really weird bracelets that look like animals...my favorite is the little ducky...when you take them off (apparently, they are the new rage of the fad phenomenon):

AND...the coolest hair pins ever (Gratitude 229):

They look totally weird and like they'd barely hold any hair. To the contrary, I have them in now, and these two little pins may have just eliminated the need for oodles of hair clips...

The Craziest Dresses Ever

Just check these out: Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Totally crazy! Also, pparently, in Avon, OH, there is an annual Duct Tape Parade and Festival that takes place this weekend, and all the floats are made of duct tape. Wow. haha! (I'd be lying, though, if I didn't admit to trying to get my family to visit the Duck brand factory when we were on vacation years ago...hehe!) Can you recycle duct tape? hmm...


Gratitude 228
Making fresh-brewed iced tea. :)

Mission Nearly Impossible: ✓ Complete

Yes, believe it if you may, I have completed my packing for both the wedding AND Europe. Minus a few things that have to wait till the last minute to be stashed in the bag, I'm ready to roll. I even shined my shoes! Sure, I don't leave till Wednesday for everything, but I got a little excited and went gung ho. ;) I think I did fairly well on the "Pack light" theory (the expansion of the suitcase has not been unzipped...), despite all the audition and pretty attire that had to be included. Now, I have to figure out a way to weigh this sucker...have to make sure I have plenty of cushion in the weight limit for the things that will be accompanying me back to the States. hehe! Honestly, what trip to Europe would be complete without a few small tokens and gifts? ;)

Early this afternoon, I had my final lesson with Lynn to solidify everything for my audition. :) It went really well. Praying I can replicate those sounds during the real deal. Thank you, Lynn, for being fantastic!

Then, I had to run (actually, a leisurely stroll) to the store for milk and picked out pretty much the funniest Father's Day card EVER for my dad. hehe! (Sorry, Dad, you probably won't see it till Monday, since I didn't get it in the mail today!) ...I also treated myself to Dove chocolates because they surprisingly just so happened to be on sale. Yum!

The weather was AWESOME today! Bright skies, the occasional slight breeze, and high temp but LOW humidity! Ah! Wunderbar! After finishing up laundry/packing detail, I settled myself out on the terrace with a book (nightlight...a parody on the twilight series...WORST BOOK EVER! haha! It's so awful that it is hysterical...hard to believe a bunch of Harvard dudes wrote this....they must have been smoking something! haha!) and enjoyed the beautifulness of the evening. Supposed clear skies tonight, so perhaps I'll be able to catch a glimpse of the stars, even with the glow of city lights. We shall see. ;)

Gratitude 227
Rainbow sprinkles. :) 

Redecorating.

As you may have noticed after my last post, I have done a total revamping makeover to my blog. It was time for a fresher look, and with the graduation from college and the start of a new era in my life, what better time to add some new swirl to the page? :) I think the new style is a fabulous reflection of my la-di-da self. Plus, every time I see it, it just makes me cheery. hehe!

So...Life at the moment: I leave in one week for Katie's big wedding extravaganza and in 11 days for a short transatlantic flight to Salzburg/Munich/Vienna/Budapest!! EEK! (I am a crazy person, and I don't know how my family and friends put up with me!) In short, my life basically consists of rehearsing, practicing, trying to study music theory/history but ending up watching movies and downloading music (after all these years and a college degree, I am still a terribly ADHD studier!), pretending I actually know how to play piano decently, and the latest of all projects...starting the packing endeavor! So far so good. Laundry needs done, but I am determined to follow the "Pack light" rule. Only the things I know for certain I will use can come along. (Let's see how long that lasts...haha!)

It is always a special task when you are packing for multiple occasions and locations...the small suitcase is wedding-only articles, and the big tapestry suitcase (yes, I, indeed, have a floral tapestry print suitcase because I am that ridiculous!) is everything Europe. Thankfully, my darling roommate will be bringing all of my things from the wedding back to the apartment, so that I don't have to schlep it along with me unnecessarily. 

I have also been playing relay between a world of English and that of German. About 1/3 of the info that the Mozarteum has sent me was in English, leaving the rest for me to decipher from the German. Overall, I think I've handled it pretty well, however, there is always that bit of info that is ambiguous and questionable. I have accepted that I lead a life that keeps me partially in a state of "lost in translation." haha! My world is perpetually caught between cultures and languages, which I love but can also be frustrating...until I am someday fluent, that is. ;)  

I think I am ready for it all. Bring it on! All I can do is my best, pray, and everything will be as it was meant. Then, I shall go from there, wherever "there" is. ;)

Completely off-topic, I have to say...last night I was talking to Chad on the phone and watching a bit of America's Got Talent, and well, in quite a few of the cases on that show, America does not have talent. I know that is terrible for me to say, but seriously, people?! I just don't know what possesses some people to do some of the stupid stuff they do...and on national television!! Just saying. However, there have also been those that make you turn your head (in a good way), as well. This is pretty much the coolest thing ever:

Last night, there was also this brilliant singer, who is the mother of Gabourey Sidiby, the Oscar-nominated actress that starred in Precious. I haven't seen that movie yet, but I hear it is great. Anyway, she was pretty fabulous. (Sorry, I couldn't find that video on YouTube...although, I did just find a YouTube video submission contest for the show...maybe I'll enter...hehe! Any thoughts? You never know...)


Gratitude 226
Discovering new music. Not necessarily for me to sing, which of course is also exciting, but for listening. I might as well confess it now, because the truth will come out sooner or later...I have a guilty pleasure of pop music. *gulp* Yes, I said it. Don't get me wrong, I am still pretty picky about what I listen to, but I currently share with my friends the mania of Glee and the like. Tragic, I know. haha! ;) If it is genuinely good, though, I will listen, no matter the genre. Plus, sometimes, you just need music that you don't have to think about, just enjoy. Each voice is meant for something...I should not be singing pop, but Chris Colfer, Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Joshua Radin, Regina Spektor, Erin McCarly, and yes, even some Lady Gaga...they should...and more power to them! ;)

*Note: Each case, as in any, is dependent upon individual songs, and not always necessarily the whole. Ultimately, good music is good music. Simply that.

Also... Sean Hayes on The Tony Awards! Amazing! And fabulously funny! ;)

And I want to see this musical:

That dude at the piano is a BEAST! (And admittedly, until he won his tony, my friends and I were convinced it was Harry Connick, Jr. but were confused because he looked too young to be him. He is a dead-ringer for Harry when he was younger. haha!)

Away we go to Fairyland!

Yes, Katie's bachelorette party was Iolanthe fairy-themed. And yes, we are the biggest opera nerds on the planet. I make a pretty cute fairy, though...maybe I should just go live in Fairyland, sprinkling pixie dust everywhere while skipping through the daisy fields with fireflies glowing around. haha! (I was also pretty excited because Phyllis finally got her wings! At the end of the opera, everyone became fairies and lived happily ever after in Fairyland. However, everyone BUT Phyllis...aka me...got wings! Sad day.)

Two things Samantha doesn't typically wear: short skirts and fishnet tights

...oh yeah, and furry fairy wings! haha!

 

 My twin, Carolarolyn!

 

 Flight of the fairies!

The lovely sister trio and their mom that made this night in Fairyland all possibly.

Beautiful job! It was indeed a top night, ladies!

Beware the Paparazzi in the background!

Classic Katie ;) Love you, girl!

Gratitude 225

I pretty much have the best friends ever. :)  

Beauty from rain.

Yes, it has been practically forever since my last post. I have just been lazy about updating. :-/

My trip to NYC, unfortunately, fell through. :( Just wasn't meant to be apparently. Nonetheless, I got to spend that week at home anyway. Baby Xander isn't much of a baby anymore! He is hysterical...and full of too much energy! I was the stubborn aunt teaching him silly things, like how to do the little pinchers thing from the 6th Harry Potter movie (he was in hysterics laughing for 20 minutes after that! so funny!) and how to say "sprinkle." Stupidly, though, I didn't take pictures while I was home. Oh, well.


Gratitude 224
Mom and I drove back to my apartment Sunday, and she stayed the night. Then, we had a day of gallivanting on Monday, which doesn't happen too often anymore. It was like the first adventures here when we came for my college entrance auditions.


Life has pretty much been practicing, preparing everything for my upcoming trip, etc. I leave in 16 days for my big trip across the pond!! :) Very exciting! I am finding that the audition process is far more involved that I ever anticipated or was previously informed about, so I can already feel the stress. However, all I can do is my best and see what happens. I shall kicketh booty with my mad diva kung fu skills. haha! ;) I have also put together some fabulously sophisticated outfits for the audition and a pretty cute mix-and-match travel wardrobe. As per usual, my "roughin' it" will certainly be diva-fied! hehe!
Last night, I went to karaoke at Applebee's and a sleepover with my friends Hannah and Caitlin...I vow never to sing karaoke again. It always sounds like a good idea, but then it really isn't. Despite my awful pop singing (I am just not meant to sing that stuff except for in the shower or along with the radio), it was a lot of fun with my girls. And a fabulous massage chair at the house = bliss. :)

My Sarah is visiting tonight, and tomorrow night is Katie's bachelorette party...