Tonight, my friend Christiana and I went to see Bernstein's Candide. So good!!! :)
☼Sun Drop☼
The conductor of the show was just loving on life! He was so into the music, and you could tell he was loving his job. I saw that across the whole stage, too; those people were having such fun. It was so fantastic. :)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Insomnia.
I'm terribly fatigued, and yet, sleep seems to be evading me. :-/ It was a rough day. (And by rough, I really just mean a frustrating singing day and a few can't-seem-to-do-anything-rights thrown in there for good measure.) I feel like I was living deja vu of Sarolta's methodology class in Hungary. Nem jo. (For those of you that have been reading the "chronicles of Samantha" since the beginning, you may remember mention of that. If not, it's besides the point and really doesn't matter. Being thrown to the sharks by your colleagues and looking like a total idiot doesn't exactly make for the highlight of my day, though.) Ugh. My timing is just impeccable. Ha! What a mess. It's all done and forgotten by now...except for the constant replay going through my head. :(
Up in 6 hours...tomorrow will be a mess, too, if I don't get some sleep. And certainly won't help get the voice back in line!
☼Sun Drop☼
Here.
Up in 6 hours...tomorrow will be a mess, too, if I don't get some sleep. And certainly won't help get the voice back in line!
☼Sun Drop☼
Here.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Story of What Happens When This Soprano Meets A Famous Soprano in Harvard Square
☼Sun Drop☼
So...last night after a concert at the school, a few of us took a walk to Harvard Square to go for a beer at a pub. While walking across the square, we were walking on the sidewalk behind a small group of people that turned out to include...Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis. Yes, this really did happen. (Even though my brain is still having trouble registering it as fact!) The pre-Broadway run of Porgy & Bess has been taking place here in Cambridge (and I have been secretly hoping I'd have a chance encounter with them!).
At first, I didn't realize that's who it was until my friend Brian asked if that was her. Then, of course, when I did realize it, I started giggling uncontrollably because I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Apparently, I do get star struck. haha! Ridiculous! I managed to pull it together long enough to introduce us as music students and that we were just so excited to see/meet her. Audra was so sweet and let us take a picture. :) I was still giggling for hours after...and cursing myself for acting like a blibbering idiot! haha! Oh, man... Tomorrow, some of us are going to go try to nab some standing room tickets to the matinee. (It's been sold out for weeks, so it's our only option to see the show...I stood to see Juan Diego and Diana Damrau at the Met, and I'll stand to see this show, too! hehe!)
As for that update I promised, I've kind of lost hope that I will actually catch up that far back. Just know that I seriously have a wonderful life, I am such a lucky/blessed girl, I love my school, I totally love my teacher, and they are keeping me busy, busy, busy!!! =D Things have been a little stressful this past week, but all will be well. ;)
So...last night after a concert at the school, a few of us took a walk to Harvard Square to go for a beer at a pub. While walking across the square, we were walking on the sidewalk behind a small group of people that turned out to include...Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis. Yes, this really did happen. (Even though my brain is still having trouble registering it as fact!) The pre-Broadway run of Porgy & Bess has been taking place here in Cambridge (and I have been secretly hoping I'd have a chance encounter with them!).
At first, I didn't realize that's who it was until my friend Brian asked if that was her. Then, of course, when I did realize it, I started giggling uncontrollably because I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Apparently, I do get star struck. haha! Ridiculous! I managed to pull it together long enough to introduce us as music students and that we were just so excited to see/meet her. Audra was so sweet and let us take a picture. :) I was still giggling for hours after...and cursing myself for acting like a blibbering idiot! haha! Oh, man... Tomorrow, some of us are going to go try to nab some standing room tickets to the matinee. (It's been sold out for weeks, so it's our only option to see the show...I stood to see Juan Diego and Diana Damrau at the Met, and I'll stand to see this show, too! hehe!)
As for that update I promised, I've kind of lost hope that I will actually catch up that far back. Just know that I seriously have a wonderful life, I am such a lucky/blessed girl, I love my school, I totally love my teacher, and they are keeping me busy, busy, busy!!! =D Things have been a little stressful this past week, but all will be well. ;)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
☼Sun Drop☼
This morning, as I was trying to juggle my messenger bag, a large box of music, and a travel mug of hot coffee in order to get it all from one building to the next, this kind man walking his dog carried my coffee for me. Sounds silly, I know, but it was the kindest thing he could have done. We had a lovely chat over the half-a-block walk to the other mansion. Thank you, Mr. Coffee-Carrier! It's the simple things in life that make it wonderful. :)
Also today, I was thrown into hot water to conduct a choir rehearsal. Say what?! Yes, the director took the boys downstairs to teach/rehearse the new pieces and left me with the girls upstairs to do the same. (For those of you that do not know, one of my graduate assistantships is to serve as assistant to the choir director for the Community Programs on Saturdays.) When she told me that's what she was going to do, terror struck my face, and I kind of wanted to go hide in the copy room next door! (Conducting and teaching a class are two things that are not my forte.) BUT...I survived and conquered! I took control of the situation and ran with it...and not to gloat or anything, but I am rather proud of myself. ;) Go me! hehe! Zoltan, my conducting teacher in Hungary, would be proud.
The rest of the afternoon/evening was spent falling over with laughter (quite literally) with my friend Christiana as we dawdled around Boston. Ridiculous! I'd blame it on the mass amount of candy corn consumed, but really, that is just life with Christiana! haha! I told her people were going to think we were drunk or that the cops were going to pull us over walking for public intoxication. It was a lot of fun, though. And have you ever seen out the front window of the subway car as it goes through the tunnels?? It's kind of creepy...reminds me of that crazy Hungarian film Kontroll that we watched in Hungarian culture class!
Also today, I was thrown into hot water to conduct a choir rehearsal. Say what?! Yes, the director took the boys downstairs to teach/rehearse the new pieces and left me with the girls upstairs to do the same. (For those of you that do not know, one of my graduate assistantships is to serve as assistant to the choir director for the Community Programs on Saturdays.) When she told me that's what she was going to do, terror struck my face, and I kind of wanted to go hide in the copy room next door! (Conducting and teaching a class are two things that are not my forte.) BUT...I survived and conquered! I took control of the situation and ran with it...and not to gloat or anything, but I am rather proud of myself. ;) Go me! hehe! Zoltan, my conducting teacher in Hungary, would be proud.
The rest of the afternoon/evening was spent falling over with laughter (quite literally) with my friend Christiana as we dawdled around Boston. Ridiculous! I'd blame it on the mass amount of candy corn consumed, but really, that is just life with Christiana! haha! I told her people were going to think we were drunk or that the cops were going to pull us over walking for public intoxication. It was a lot of fun, though. And have you ever seen out the front window of the subway car as it goes through the tunnels?? It's kind of creepy...reminds me of that crazy Hungarian film Kontroll that we watched in Hungarian culture class!
Friday, September 16, 2011
I love my life!
Ack! I have over a week of a million things to catch up on...and I think there may even be some photos that are in line to be edited and posted! I will get to this at some point! Just gotta figure out when... Promise soon, though!
☼Sun Drop☼
Autumn is peeking in the window! Soon, the world will be painted with color, and the weather will crisp as the crunching leaves beneath my feet. AH! This is my favorite season. :) This morning, I was just bursting with happy bubbly-ness! I had a pumpkin spice latte in hand (a rare treat that the crisp weather warranted), candy corn stashed in my lunch, a pretty pashmina wrapped around me...what more could I ask for at that moment?? ;)
I am just overfilled with joy! The to-do list and work load is only piling on more and more by the day, but my life is just wonderful. My voice teacher is beyond words fantastic (and adorable!). And...yesterday, I discovered that my snazzy new ipod records my lessons with total clarity! Yay! This ipod is probably one of the best $300 I've spent; it's pretty much keeping my life together, and it's ridiculous features are helping me accomplish tasks when you think you wouldn't be able to...like practicing Italian, reading books, drafting emails, making my grocery list, making flashcards that won't fall out of my bag ans scatter everywhere, playing and hearing notes/chords/etc. on the piano...I could even learn a song if I needed to...and all while on the bus back and forth from school or whatever! (And, of course, the occasional Scrabble game...hehe!)
A "Speedy Gonzales" run-through of the past week's events to follow super soon...
☼Sun Drop☼
Autumn is peeking in the window! Soon, the world will be painted with color, and the weather will crisp as the crunching leaves beneath my feet. AH! This is my favorite season. :) This morning, I was just bursting with happy bubbly-ness! I had a pumpkin spice latte in hand (a rare treat that the crisp weather warranted), candy corn stashed in my lunch, a pretty pashmina wrapped around me...what more could I ask for at that moment?? ;)
I am just overfilled with joy! The to-do list and work load is only piling on more and more by the day, but my life is just wonderful. My voice teacher is beyond words fantastic (and adorable!). And...yesterday, I discovered that my snazzy new ipod records my lessons with total clarity! Yay! This ipod is probably one of the best $300 I've spent; it's pretty much keeping my life together, and it's ridiculous features are helping me accomplish tasks when you think you wouldn't be able to...like practicing Italian, reading books, drafting emails, making my grocery list, making flashcards that won't fall out of my bag ans scatter everywhere, playing and hearing notes/chords/etc. on the piano...I could even learn a song if I needed to...and all while on the bus back and forth from school or whatever! (And, of course, the occasional Scrabble game...hehe!)
A "Speedy Gonzales" run-through of the past week's events to follow super soon...
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Happy Birthday to Me!
A voice lesson, chocolate croissant lunch, a showering of well wishes and Facebook posts, 2 Birthday-in-a-box packages, and dinner and cupcakes with my new Boston crew. :)
Posted to be filled in with details later...it's off to bed for the birthday girl...life resumes tomorrow! ;)
Posted to be filled in with details later...it's off to bed for the birthday girl...life resumes tomorrow! ;)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Marriage Proposal.
I seriously need to be in bed because I am exhausted and didn't sleep well last night, but today was just too ridiculous to not write about it.
Today was the official first day of grad school. I woke up not feeling the best, but tea, water, neti pot, and a dose of DayQuil pushed me through the day. I was so proud of myself for being 15-20 minutes early for class, and wouldn't you know it that I would end up sitting in the wrong room. Of course, I didn't realize this until two minutes before class started and no one else was there yet. Go figure! haha! So I went upstairs and asked a random student where my class was supposed to be, since I clearly thought wrong. Turns out, it's in a hall that I didn't even know existed. And why didn't I know this? Because of course, it is inside the church down the street and not in either of the actual school buildings. Naturally. I never would have found that on my own! And my 15 minutes early turned into 5 minutes late, but all was well.
Dalcroze Eurhythmics is awesome! Adriana, the professor, is from Transylvania and is such fun. Lovely voice, too! :) I think this class is going to be really good for me.
Diction class is going to be just ridiculous. haha! Oh, man. It started off with my name being mistyped as Elizabeth, which obviously is not my name. I gave him the benefit of the doubt because there are actually quite a few Elizabeths in the incoming class, some of which are in Diction classes, but I'm not one of them. We got that straightened out, though, and although it's nerve-wracking to be coached in front of your peers, it's going to be great.
After Diction, I had a few hours, so I thought I'd come back to the house, maybe nap, get some food. Well, it took forever for the bus to come, and when it did, I ended up sitting next to this crazy old Italian dude. (You already know this is going to be ridiculous, don't you? Well, you're right!) He started to chat it up. Nice guy. However, at one point, he basically offered to be my sugar daddy and said that he'd take me to Vegas like yesterday and marry me. Say what? Wow. haha! He kept calling me "bella," and the best part, he even gave me his number and offered to buy me drinks. So now I have this random dude's number and a great story. Oh, man. I almost didn't go back to the house because the bus was taking so long, and just think, if I hadn't, I wouldn't have that hilarious moment. He did offer to pay my bills, too...why didn't I accept this offer? haha! ;)
Spent a half hour in the rain waiting for the bus to go back to the school for Cabaret class after the bus tracker told me it'd be there in 6 minutes. (What was their deal today?!) Then I asked myself why I subjected myself to Cabaret class. Adriana is also teaching it, and I'm sure stepping outside my "classical comfort zone" is going to be very good for me and even help my classical stuff. Nonetheless, I may die from all the French. I was handed two French pieces and told to be ready to sing them by next week. ACK! Guess it's time to suck it up and face my fear of French...because apparently, I can no longer run from it. This may take a miracle...
Oh, and I got a fabulous package in the mail today from composer Robert Saari! A stack of beautiful scores. He wrote songs that Lynn sang for him, and I sang some of the pieces while I was studying with her. I wrote to him asking for original copies, so I could continue to perform them, and he sent the cycle I asked for and then two others WITH a note giving me full copyright permissions. :) Super cool! I haven't ever met the guy in person, but that was so nice of him!
☼Sun Drop☼
A tweet by one of my friends:
Today was the official first day of grad school. I woke up not feeling the best, but tea, water, neti pot, and a dose of DayQuil pushed me through the day. I was so proud of myself for being 15-20 minutes early for class, and wouldn't you know it that I would end up sitting in the wrong room. Of course, I didn't realize this until two minutes before class started and no one else was there yet. Go figure! haha! So I went upstairs and asked a random student where my class was supposed to be, since I clearly thought wrong. Turns out, it's in a hall that I didn't even know existed. And why didn't I know this? Because of course, it is inside the church down the street and not in either of the actual school buildings. Naturally. I never would have found that on my own! And my 15 minutes early turned into 5 minutes late, but all was well.
Dalcroze Eurhythmics is awesome! Adriana, the professor, is from Transylvania and is such fun. Lovely voice, too! :) I think this class is going to be really good for me.
Diction class is going to be just ridiculous. haha! Oh, man. It started off with my name being mistyped as Elizabeth, which obviously is not my name. I gave him the benefit of the doubt because there are actually quite a few Elizabeths in the incoming class, some of which are in Diction classes, but I'm not one of them. We got that straightened out, though, and although it's nerve-wracking to be coached in front of your peers, it's going to be great.
After Diction, I had a few hours, so I thought I'd come back to the house, maybe nap, get some food. Well, it took forever for the bus to come, and when it did, I ended up sitting next to this crazy old Italian dude. (You already know this is going to be ridiculous, don't you? Well, you're right!) He started to chat it up. Nice guy. However, at one point, he basically offered to be my sugar daddy and said that he'd take me to Vegas like yesterday and marry me. Say what? Wow. haha! He kept calling me "bella," and the best part, he even gave me his number and offered to buy me drinks. So now I have this random dude's number and a great story. Oh, man. I almost didn't go back to the house because the bus was taking so long, and just think, if I hadn't, I wouldn't have that hilarious moment. He did offer to pay my bills, too...why didn't I accept this offer? haha! ;)
Spent a half hour in the rain waiting for the bus to go back to the school for Cabaret class after the bus tracker told me it'd be there in 6 minutes. (What was their deal today?!) Then I asked myself why I subjected myself to Cabaret class. Adriana is also teaching it, and I'm sure stepping outside my "classical comfort zone" is going to be very good for me and even help my classical stuff. Nonetheless, I may die from all the French. I was handed two French pieces and told to be ready to sing them by next week. ACK! Guess it's time to suck it up and face my fear of French...because apparently, I can no longer run from it. This may take a miracle...
Oh, and I got a fabulous package in the mail today from composer Robert Saari! A stack of beautiful scores. He wrote songs that Lynn sang for him, and I sang some of the pieces while I was studying with her. I wrote to him asking for original copies, so I could continue to perform them, and he sent the cycle I asked for and then two others WITH a note giving me full copyright permissions. :) Super cool! I haven't ever met the guy in person, but that was so nice of him!
☼Sun Drop☼
A tweet by one of my friends:
"Rain is there to wash away your sadness...like a rebirth of soul." -bus conversation with a girl with down syndrome. Made my day. :)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
A beautiful weekend...and I'm stuck in bed! :(
Well, I feel like crap. I don't know what it is, be it allergies, a head cold, or whatever, but I don't care. I just want it gone NOW. :*( Instead of having an adventurous weekend exploring more around the city, I am still in bed with a terrible fogging headache, watching (or more so listening) to the Met Opera HD marathon on PBS. The only really positive thing in this whole scenario is that I do not have to do anything or be anywhere till Tuesday, but I can't start the semester in compromised shape. ACK! This is not cool.
I have quite a lot of catching up to do on events of the past week, too! Tuesday was the first day of orientation, which meant meetings basically from 10:30 to 5 and lots of meet-and-greets and small talk. My brain was on information overload, but it is all very exciting and lots of new people were/are being met.
Wednesday brought meetings for my community programs assistantship, a voice dept. meeting, and the first of the proficiency exams...music history, which I can officially report that I passed with flying colors! YAY! (I received the results just the other night.) I had felt pretty good about it, but I wasn't counting my chickens yet. haha! Oh, yes, and my voice lesson was that day...
Ah! Jayne is out-of-this-world AMAZING!!! We clicked from the moment she walked into the room. Such a sweet, effervescent, and extremely talented woman! I am honored to have the privilege of working with her and cannot wait. In the hour we spent together, a large part of which was spent discussing my vocal past, present, and future, I can only imagine the wonderful things we will accomplish. :) She is just as ridiculous as I am, so the two of us together is kind of hilarious; we both get excited about the littlest of things. hehe!
Thursday held meetings on my favorite subject...finances and loans. NOT! Ugh. Needless to say, they just gave me a terrible headache for the rest of the day. Theory proficiency exam...never seen nor taken an exam hat difficult! Wow. Don't have to results on that one either. (And as for the second theory exam on Friday morning...oy vey! I'm proud of myself for remaining calm the whole time, though!) There was a social event at a bar a couple blocks from the school that I popped in for a bit on my way home.
Friday was the last of the exams and my diction placement audition. Nice planning to have a very tense exam right before having to sing. It went alright, though. I was not the happiest with my performance, but it's main purpose was to hear my language pronunciation, so I am not fretting too much about it. There will be a million more times that they will hear me, the good and the bad included. I also registered for classes, and unfortunately, was shut out of my Alexander Technique class. :( Lame! I'll just have to find a way to fit it in another semester. For now, I get to take European & American Cabaret instead. That should be fun! And the professor is a Hungarian-Romanian! ;) She will also be teaching my Dalcroze Eurhythmics class, as well.
I had a few hours after all that to go back to the house and change and sort through the boxes of books Mom had sent. Then...
☼Sun Drop☼
It was off for an incredible evening on a private Boston Harbor cruise! :) So gorgeous! I love this place! No better way to conclude the week than seeing the skyline all lit up under clear skies with a glass (or two) of wine. Such fun! (Friday was also Xander's 3rd birthday...Happy Birthday, mister!)
Yesterday, I ran a bunch of errands, trying to ignore my sinuses and the impeding migraine I felt they were creating, until I felt like a Mack truck had smacked me upside the head. It's not a migraine and doesn't appear to be a sinus infection...but it feels the same as all that. I just want it to go away!!! Praying it's gone tomorrow...or at least by the time I wake up on Tuesday. I cannot begin the semester with illness!!!!
I have quite a lot of catching up to do on events of the past week, too! Tuesday was the first day of orientation, which meant meetings basically from 10:30 to 5 and lots of meet-and-greets and small talk. My brain was on information overload, but it is all very exciting and lots of new people were/are being met.
Wednesday brought meetings for my community programs assistantship, a voice dept. meeting, and the first of the proficiency exams...music history, which I can officially report that I passed with flying colors! YAY! (I received the results just the other night.) I had felt pretty good about it, but I wasn't counting my chickens yet. haha! Oh, yes, and my voice lesson was that day...
Ah! Jayne is out-of-this-world AMAZING!!! We clicked from the moment she walked into the room. Such a sweet, effervescent, and extremely talented woman! I am honored to have the privilege of working with her and cannot wait. In the hour we spent together, a large part of which was spent discussing my vocal past, present, and future, I can only imagine the wonderful things we will accomplish. :) She is just as ridiculous as I am, so the two of us together is kind of hilarious; we both get excited about the littlest of things. hehe!
Thursday held meetings on my favorite subject...finances and loans. NOT! Ugh. Needless to say, they just gave me a terrible headache for the rest of the day. Theory proficiency exam...never seen nor taken an exam hat difficult! Wow. Don't have to results on that one either. (And as for the second theory exam on Friday morning...oy vey! I'm proud of myself for remaining calm the whole time, though!) There was a social event at a bar a couple blocks from the school that I popped in for a bit on my way home.
Friday was the last of the exams and my diction placement audition. Nice planning to have a very tense exam right before having to sing. It went alright, though. I was not the happiest with my performance, but it's main purpose was to hear my language pronunciation, so I am not fretting too much about it. There will be a million more times that they will hear me, the good and the bad included. I also registered for classes, and unfortunately, was shut out of my Alexander Technique class. :( Lame! I'll just have to find a way to fit it in another semester. For now, I get to take European & American Cabaret instead. That should be fun! And the professor is a Hungarian-Romanian! ;) She will also be teaching my Dalcroze Eurhythmics class, as well.
I had a few hours after all that to go back to the house and change and sort through the boxes of books Mom had sent. Then...
☼Sun Drop☼
It was off for an incredible evening on a private Boston Harbor cruise! :) So gorgeous! I love this place! No better way to conclude the week than seeing the skyline all lit up under clear skies with a glass (or two) of wine. Such fun! (Friday was also Xander's 3rd birthday...Happy Birthday, mister!)
Yesterday, I ran a bunch of errands, trying to ignore my sinuses and the impeding migraine I felt they were creating, until I felt like a Mack truck had smacked me upside the head. It's not a migraine and doesn't appear to be a sinus infection...but it feels the same as all that. I just want it to go away!!! Praying it's gone tomorrow...or at least by the time I wake up on Tuesday. I cannot begin the semester with illness!!!!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
All smiles. :)
☼Sun Drop☼
Meeting my incredible new voice teacher yesterday. It is going to be amazing working with her. Just makes me smile. :)
I have to get ready for my full day of orientation meetings, events, etc., and sorting out more things for the coming semester, but I will soon catch up the crazy-packed past few days. So many wonderful things are already happening. :) I seriously already love this place and am just where I am meant to be.
Cheers!
Meeting my incredible new voice teacher yesterday. It is going to be amazing working with her. Just makes me smile. :)
I have to get ready for my full day of orientation meetings, events, etc., and sorting out more things for the coming semester, but I will soon catch up the crazy-packed past few days. So many wonderful things are already happening. :) I seriously already love this place and am just where I am meant to be.
Cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)