Amazing that another weekend passed so quickly. I guess last week as a whole went by pretty fast--that's what happens with a 3 day weekend! :)

Friday was a really fun day--I got my aparment cleaned for Rachel's arrival, and did some errands (ok, that wasn't really so fun). Then I went Rock Climbing for the first time, at a place south of town. That was really awesome, and a much more interesting work-out than going to the gym. I escaped with only 1 battle scar, and managed (with help of course) to climb a 5.8 or so. I feel good about that, and at the end tried a few minutes of bouldering (climbing low without ropes). That was challenging, and even more rewarding, I think. Hopefully I'll be back sometime.

When I got home I had about an hour to relax and then Rachel arrived! YAY! Plenty of parties and such were going on Friday night, but we went to Esan-Thai for a fantastic dinner, then came back here and talked and relaxed.

This official weekend was a combination of making a recording for Anna Jacobs, who composed some really fabulous music for her NYU application (I'm sure she'll get in, but I'll be really sad to see her leave!), and then relaxing at home with Rachel, watching movies, and just taking it easy. We're planning to go out Tuesday night after her audition, so whoever wants to come, we'll have a little bit of debauchery mid-week :)

Well, time to start the week. Wish I could take the day off and take Rachel to Nashville or something, but alas, singing awaits.

L.

Words from the not-so-relationship-wise

7-It amazes me how many couples there are out there. When does it truly happen that two people like each other without knowing the other person is interested?

6-How many people end up liking someone only after they spend time with them and start to realize their interest? A lot, I bet.

5-Seems like the spontaneous putting together of an already formed relationship is much easier than having a crush on someone for a long time and then hoping that they might (eventually) have interest.

4-Movies are very devious. They love to trick you into believing Hollywood love stories.

3-Inevitably, when you like someone, you manage to find every possible thread of (fictitious) positivity in their words.

2-Somehow, this person's presence makes you so happy you become nauseous.

1-Over-analyzation is a woman's worst enemy. And as hard as she tries, there's really nothing she can do about it.

Weekendy weekend

Well, I've made it through another school week, and this weekend has been pretty amazing. Friday was all singing--a make-up lesson and the Vaness masterclass. Ms. Vaness visited opera workshop this past week and I was totally enamoured with her fun no bs attitude, with an anti-diva flair. I mean, don't get me wrong, this woman has sung anywhere singers would want to sing, with everyone we would want to sing with, but she's totally down to earth and ready to share and help out young singers. Amazing.

So, Friday evening Naomi, Emily, and I were 3 of the 4 singers for her masterclass. We all found her really helpful and incredibly positive. I sang the Doll aria, and her comments were very much like Ms. Wise's, but in different words. Her positive feedback was so wonderful to hear, and made me feel that although I probably won't have a job this summer (singing), at least someone who knows an unbelievable amount thought I was pretty darn good. That left me feeling great Saturday morning when I woke up. It'll be one of those things to pull out of my memory bank when I face rejection after rejection....

Yesterday I got back to the gym for the first time in months, and although I didn't really have a lot of fun, I'm feeling really good about it today. It'll probably take me a few more times with friends before I get the guts to go alone, but I hope I do. Sitting around on my tuckass isn't going to do much for my looks, my health, or my self-esteem.

Last night Emily had a great chocolate fest--good thing I did go to the gym, because we all pigged out on amazing chocolate desserts. It was a smaller group of about a dozen of us, and a lot of great talk was had--it wasn't an impersonal meandering party. It was quite nice to just sit around a table in comfy chairs chatting with great people (over unlimited dessert!) :)

Today I managed to sleep in until noon (clocking me in at about 9 hours of sleep) and luckily got out of bed, because I've got a rehearsal now planned for 2. So, I'm eating lunch and getting out of here to look over this music one more time! Eeek!

Rachel Sliker is coming next week on Friday night and staying until Wednesday morning--YAY!!!! I can't wait to see her, it'll be so wonderful!

~Lowa

Chicago trip!

Laura and Adonis :)


Adonis playing with the fish

A new week begins, and it's officially a 3 day school week. YES! Today I still have a lesson and masterclass, and if I'm singing well, it'll be the best day off ever. :)

This past weekend was a lot of fun! Friday I totally sat on my butt all day, my last attempt at getting rid of all the voice germs. Saturday Adonis and I took a GREAT day trip to Chicago (yes folks, 4 hours away and just in one day!). We started with Sushi buffet for lunch, then went to the Aquarium (it was discount weekend) and then had Ethiopian for dinner. It was nice to get out of bloomington and go to an actual city. Indianapolis is a poor excuse for a city, in my opinion, and Chicago provided much more scenery and excitement.

Yesterday I held another Pizza Frete dinner party (like last year) and it went really well. I was playing organizer and hostess for the majority of the time, but I guess that's what I do. It was fine with me, and I was able to feed lots of hungry people, and they were satiated and happy. My job was done :)

For some reason I am approaching this semester with a lot more apprehension....I'm just not very excited about it and I'm worrying about random silly things. I feel like if I am able to upser organize everything--down to cleaning my apartment, watching what I eat, spending less money, and doing all my work for class as early as possible, then things will be better. Unfortunately learning music can't fit in there, as it's not a do it once kind of activity.

So tomorrow morning I go to sign up for a recital scheduling time. Early. I'm hoping to land the weekend right after Carmen. We'll see what happens.

Well, off to post some pictures of this weekend :)

Germy update

So nothing too interesting has been happining in my life as of late (I've been vocally sick, as in soprano-no-more, meet Laura the baritone). I've done a lot of sitting on my tuckass, hoping that tomorrow will be the day I magically have my voice back.

This little nasty voice-virus is slowly being killed by my Zpack antibiotics, and I hope all those little germs are screaming in agony as they are smothered by my lovely white cells. :) Heehee. Mental imagery is important to health, you know!

Seriously, it's been unbelievably hard to be mute this week. You don't realize how much you sing/hum until you can't do it (or at least without a scratchy after effect). I've definitely started to get better though, as Sunday was my worst day (right before antibiotics began). Suz and I went to church and I just tried to sing along softly to one tune, and had to sing an octave lower. Those that know me realize I normally sound like a chipmunk on speed, and this manly voice was quite funny. Suz had to muffle her laughter, and I had to stop pretending to sing. I made a mockery of myself for Kaia later that day and we realized that I was singing a low b-flat. That's at the bottom of the bass-clef, folks. True Baritone register. It was a VERY scary thing, and Kaia told me that she wants Laura back. Me too.

So, anyhow, I don't have those low notes anymore (thank God!) but I don't realy have any high notes either. I guess that's the closest I'll get to reaching my goal of being a Russian bass. :) Keep your fingers crossed for a fully functioning Laura-voice by Sunday. I'll be ok if it comes back then. Any later and I'll really start panicking, as I've already given up the Latin American music competition (watch out for me next year!). I sat in the library yesterday listening to Carmen instead of practicing, and it's just about time I started learning it. This month will be all about Anna and Dave's music (once I'm better) and then Carmen plus recital work. Ryan, I'd be totally ready to sing on your recital too, just give me the music asap and hopefully the recital isn't before late Feb! :)

Okedoke, time to finish my strawberry-chocolate chip pancakes and tea. One class and then errands!

random pics from Christmas break

Yay! Happy Birthday to me. Instead of getting one big cake, which mom and I couldn't finish, we got little cakes from my favorite bakery/breakfast spot. Yum.



Right after Christmas I traveled a little ways to Long Island for the birthday party of Leanne's grandma. It was really a blast, and we all were ridiculously silly--definitely a day to remember. I miss them, my wonderful extended family.


Rachel Sliker visited Poughkeepsie on her way back home from a masterclass in NYC. It was wonderful to see her, despite the short amount of time we were able to spend together. She's coming out to Bloomington for her Indianapolis opera audition, and will be here at the end of the month! So very exciting!

I have never lived in a town where the sun doesn't come up until 8am. Until now. Yay for the many remaining tuesdays and thursdays this winter where I'll wake up before the sun. Sigh.

Back in B-town

So, I'm back. 1 and a half days and it all begins again. I could write all about my break, but it went so fast, and I can hardly remember all the things I did. I do know the things I didn't get to:

-didn't read enough
-definitely didn't practice enough

So, that's my end result. Hahaha. Starting off the semester so well already :)

So this semester looks the same class wise, but there are plenty of singing projects to attack. The Latin American Music Competition, Anna Jacob's recording session, a few more summer auditions, The Dave's recital, Tony's recital, Carmen, and my recital. Phew. I'll keep you all posted on the dates for the watchable concerts.

Well, perhaps I should get myself out grocery shopping. My fridge is about as bare as possible, and I best not starve this week.