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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. ♥


Gratitude 295
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! :-/

Gratitude 293
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!)

Gratitude 292
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! ;)

Gratitude 290
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!

Gratitude 289 
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! ;)