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!

Gratitude 284
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!

Gratitude 283 
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!)

Gratitude 278

My mom came to visit for two days this week. :)  We didn't do anything too eventful, but that's quite alright. It was nice to have nothing pertinent that had to be done and a day off work. We spent all Wednesday night watching the rescue of the miners. Talk about claustrophobia! It's pretty remarkable, though.


Voice still being stupid. *sigh*  It'd be nice if it would just stop that. So. Much. Tea! Ginger, honey, Mucinex. Blech.

On the bright side, I found a sweet new blog surfing the web: Leonardo Vordoni (which just so happens to be Joyce's husband!). Very inspiring and insightful. One of my new favorite reads.

I also found this cute video.

The Mute Soprano

I'm sure this is for the betterment of the world, one less soprano (haha!), however, slightly tragic in my life. An acute case of laryngitis. Wunderbar. :-/  It'll come back soon, though. For now, minimal talking and lots of fluids...I might float away from all the tea and water I've been chugging! ;) No lesson tomorrow; it's best I let it rest rather than unhealthily force the voice to do its thing. All the more reason to spend some time delving into everything that makes the music what it is, all its inner-workings. :)  

Gratitude 277
The Internet. 

Health Update: I was doing so much better and felt practically perfect yesterday...then today, I woke up sounding beautifully raspy. Laryngitis?! Fabulous! *sigh* Hopefully, it'll be back to normal tomorrow...otherwise, there may not be a voice lesson in store for me this week...  :(

My new creative endeavor: baking bread! hehe! First, it is soooo easy! Second, finally bread like you buy at the markets in Europe...looks like perhaps no more American "squishy" bread for me! ;) Third, if a recipe tells you NOT to grease/spray the pan, DO! Basically, my first attempt lost the bottom of the loaf because it stuck to the pan. *sigh* Guess that just means I have to give it another go! Mmm...cinnamon, perhaps?! :)

My most recent scheming: I kind of really want to move to Boston. :)

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

Yesterday was a fabulous day. I started it off with a cup of chai tea and toast with jam, a charming video by the lovely Joyce Didonato, and started a grad app. (All of my applications are now underway and at least half-way complete...now for those recordings...) It was a very long and exhausting day, but it was a good one. Work, listened to a bit of Ella while getting the shop ready to open, practiced, made some good progress in my German lesson, went to hear the university rock band perform, and then Bible study. Three outfit changes and whizzing around in a bit of a tizzy was a bit much, though. ;)

Today, I called it before it even happened: an eclectic mix of happenings and emotions and a sprinkling of "Are you kidding me?!" moments. Okay, so the latter was a bit more than a sprinkling, but it wasn't a terrible day. Babysitting those...kids...actually wasn't too awful, either!

Gratitude 276
This evening, I met with the director of admissions for one of the schools in Boston. He just happened to be in Ohio this week and asked if I'd like to meet and chat over coffee. How awesome is that?! We talked for an hour and a half! I really like so much about the place, but of course, I won't know if it's "the one" until I see and experience it in person. Sounds wonderful...I've got my spies out... (I have a friend that is currently there.) I'm totally sold on the city, though!!! Ah! Sounds like a quintessentially "Samantha" place. :) A little bit of Europe in the States. Yes, please! Can I just go now? hehe! Also, the school is apparently surrounded by Harvard...um...get me a Harvard boy? Sounds good to me! haha! ;)    

P.S. Mommy's coming to visit tomorrow!! :) 

Germs!

I hate them! :(  I have a feeling I am getting a sinus infection. And you know who I blame...!! Argh!

Needless to say, my Friday night was spent on the couch watching random television with chicken noodle soup and hot tea and cider. :-/  This makes me grouchy.

Some DayQuil and echinacea tea seem to be clearing the fog a bit today, but I would be ever so grateful if it would just stop pestering me altogether. Please and thank you.

Gratitude 275
Candy corn. My favorite American treat that is only available this time of year. :) And it has to be Brach's. Yum!

Mr. & Mrs. Jones

Last Saturday, my dear friends, Matt and Amber, tied the knot in a beautiful and quintessentially "them" ceremony. Everything from the day's beauty yet simplicity; it's half-hour late start (Matt is never on time for anything! But we love him anyway!); singing to each other before the exchange of vows; reading each other their several-page, hand-written, personality and story-filled vows; and a photo booth at their reception. Plus, they are just too perfect and cute together. :)

In the church, my friend Haley and I had to keep reminding ourselves that we were still in Ohio, because that church reminded us so much of the numerous cathedrals and churches we've wandered in throughout our travels. (Someday, Haley and I are going to travel in Europe together, and it's going to be the most ridiculous, misadventure-filled event of our entire lives! Those anecdotes will scream best-seller! haha!)

Even better, it was road-trip day with the one and only Chad. Fabulous! Endless gossip, anecdotes, chats, and even a few heart-to-hearts over those several hours driving to and from the wedding. I've missed that man! Actually, it lasted while we were at the wedding and the reception, too. haha! We are like the two little kids in the movie theater that no one wants to sit by...esp. when we're sitting in the church for nearly an hour waiting for the ceremony to begin! Oh, boy! ;) And at the reception, we were sitting with Jackie, one of the vocal professors, who is a complete stitch, so clearly, it just kept going!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

As for this week, it's been quite the something. It's just been long and exhausting, but I'm surviving. ;) Monday was work, a German lesson (Have I mentioned how I've sort of got a crush on my tutor? Yeah...the catch: he's engaged! Bah! Every time...every time...they are all engaged, already married...or, of course, gay. haha! Go figure.), and Bible study. Tuesday was work and babysitting those...children. Can I just say that I just about had a heart attack that afternoon?! In short, the 3-yr old had a head cold I was not previously informed of (great! If I get sick...), an extra (very rude) 5-yr old because of an impromptu play date that was thrown at me, said extra child sneezing a huge snot bogey and wiping it on his sleeve then refusing to wash his hands equals a germaphobe Samantha freak-out. It was all made better by dinner with my friend Caitalin at a great Indian restaurant. Yum! So. Much. Food! haha!

Wednesday was tea and bagels with my friend Caitie who dropped by in the morning, work, a to-do list, a recital to listen to the lovely Lynn sing a piece, and an As Time Goes By/The Nanny night with Haley and her dog Geneva. :) A brilliantly British day.

Then, today was a welcomed reprieve. It was me day. Catching up on some missed television shows. (Glee has redeemed itself from its disastrous Britney Spears episode last week.) Getting sucked into YouTube videos of the incredible Monserrat Caballe. (So much so that I then had to rush to be presentable to society for the actual day...haha!) A great lesson with Lynn...the puzzle pieces are beginning to fit together. :) Babysitting Gretchen and Kate. Then, an evening of "working on things that need to get done" aka wilting on the couch watching television and trying to get myself to actually be productive. In my defense, I did cross of about half the list today. :)

Gratitude 274
The brainwaves that Lynn and I seem to share. Somehow, we never have to actually try to explain something because we just seem to get it. We are pretty much the same person sometimes. :)

And my list just keeps getting better...

I think, perhaps, that book I want to write should be about all these ridiculous things that happen in/to my life. I need to start recording these in numerical order...haha!

"What now?" you are probably asking. Well, I was babysitting little Kate yesterday afternoon, and I sat down at their dining room table, only to find my view out the picture window that faces the local high school is of some high school dude changing his clothes "behind his car so no one can see." Well, guess what, buddy? People could see when you stripped down to your boxers in broad daylight in the middle of the street! I think that tops the cake of ridiculous things for this week! haha! But, I mean, it's only Friday, so you never know...  ;) 

Gratitude 273
Throat coat tea.