We sat on my bed for three hours, sharing the framework of our lives. From beginning to end, I heard about a house with a wall around it, and a pet locus, and starting a new life in a different country. He heard about lonely tea parties, playing under the stars, and how stage and school has changed me. For someone to say, "Now tell me it all, from beginning to end, and leave nothing out" and to look me in the eye and listen, was something new for me. It was almost daunting.
I have a life story; everyone does. I just never really said it all out loud...I never understood how the pieces fit and compliment each other. I never told anyone that my childhood was lonely, or that my mother once almost left my father, or that I was scared of my grandfather. My story isn't greatly tragic or exciting, but it's mine.
Watching and listening to him share his memories made me appreciate him so much more. I admire a lot about Nathan, but now I can better understand how all those things I admire came to be. I've been replaying pieces of his story in my head, wanting to commit to memory the things he told me.
Our evening ended with my head in his lap and his fingers in my hair, talking to each other quietly. He's so good at listening to all my fears and making me believe that I can be stronger and better today than I was yesterday. That evening is a new and very special piece of my story.
July 31, 2010
July 28, 2010
No Purpose Is Too Small
My "ennui" seems to have passed, and I am enjoying being [sort-of] in charge this week at work. My boss is on vacation, and I'm the student aide with seniority at the moment (that sounds silly, but it's true!). So I have been making an effort and succeeding at being on time everyday, looking nice, and being armed with coffee! (Okay, I was a few minutes late yesterday because I was getting said coffee. ;) The last two mornings I have helped my favourite English professor prep to teach her summer class. I can see the difference that makes in her morning, and that makes me happy.
I think there's just something really motivating to me about being in charge or being given an important task, or even just assisting someone in a small way. It makes life much more exciting and purposeful! I know I am "only" a student office assistant at a community college, and to some that's a pretty pathetic job. But I think it's important to do whatever you are given to do with purpose and joy. At the moment this job is my main source of income, so I will do it and do it with pride!
What could you do today that would give you purpose? Michelle at Might and Main shared a great list that I highly recommend you check out- "Small Ways To Improve Your Life". In reflection of my post title this morning, I think that all the actions on the list are only small in effort, but not in impact!
P.S. I just realized this is my 200th post. :-)
P.P.S. More publicity for Michelle: I entered her giveaway on Oh, Mishka! Lovely new jewelry would be the icing to my cake of a week!
I think there's just something really motivating to me about being in charge or being given an important task, or even just assisting someone in a small way. It makes life much more exciting and purposeful! I know I am "only" a student office assistant at a community college, and to some that's a pretty pathetic job. But I think it's important to do whatever you are given to do with purpose and joy. At the moment this job is my main source of income, so I will do it and do it with pride!
What could you do today that would give you purpose? Michelle at Might and Main shared a great list that I highly recommend you check out- "Small Ways To Improve Your Life". In reflection of my post title this morning, I think that all the actions on the list are only small in effort, but not in impact!
P.S. I just realized this is my 200th post. :-)
P.P.S. More publicity for Michelle: I entered her giveaway on Oh, Mishka! Lovely new jewelry would be the icing to my cake of a week!
July 24, 2010
Lotsssss Of Bandwith..
I have a random assortment of pictures from recently that I felt like sharing. This will probably be in place of a July bulletin board post. Enjoy!
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| Having a super awesome time at the neighborhood firemen's carnival with baby bro. |
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| I likes to wear cute clothes and listen to my ipod. |
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| We have a new hobby. Hot summer days at the pool hall (I suck, but one day I won't!) |
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| A late night dinner I was particularly excited about. Baked potatoes and pan-grilled chicken and veggies. |
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| Black and white, big hair, big accessories. YES. :-) |
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| Regular readers know all about the Barn Theatre. <3 |
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| While waiting for a friend, working on promo ideas for my new make-up business. |
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| Gas station fail! |
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| Feeling artsy: headscarf, hoops, and purple eyeliner! |
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| Panera Bread, soy milk is not supposed to do that... |
The End. But will someone please tell me why Blogger disregards my anal attentiveness to formatting, and makes my picture presentation look as if I am a 14-year-over-anxious-newbie-blogger? :-\ I've wasted twenty minutes trying to get this post to look right.
July 23, 2010
Fall Semester!
Due to it being the season of summer, my post topics aren't really living up the "college" part of this blog's title. When I start back to classes this coming semester, my plan is to share lots about what I'm learning and who I'm meeting. (Instead of the usual whining about my various angst and issues. :-p)
Here's a fall preview, in form of descriptions of the five classes I'm registered for (taken from ccbcmd.edu) and then my commentaries to follow.
Math 03: Intermediate Algebra
"Covers rational expressions and equations, radicals, quadratic equations, complex numbers, functions and relations, and exponential and logarithmic functions."
Boring stuff first. I admit with some shame that this is the third time I'll be taking this section of mathematics. And if I don't pass this time, I have to take it at another college and be delayed in getting my A.A. Math is not something I am skilled at, and not something I gave due attention to in high school.
Music 160: Community Chorus
"Provides an opportunity for students to join with others in studying and singing choral music, both classical and popular."
I'm taking chorus so I can take a break from private voice lessons and still continue singing and growing. The director of the choir is my voice teacher. I'm looking to this because I'll simply be meeting people, learning new music, and having fun.
Heath 221: Human Sexuality I dropped this class. I still want to take it eventually, but it's not required for my degree, and I have too many other things going on this semester. :-\
"Views human sexuality from biological, social, emotional, spiritual, cultural and historical viewpoints; covers topics such as gender formation, reproductive technology, STDs, sexual expression, and ways to build successful relationships will be presented."
I debated with myself quite a bit before signing up for this class. I get psychology credit for it, which I hope I could transfer to a four-year college. The teachers of this class are legendary at our school (an older married couple teaches it). I'm mainly taking it because I feel it's something that will teach me information that I've mostly been sheltered from, thereby equipping me to a better and wiser parent one day, and also contribute to my current relational skills and knowledge.
Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology
"Examines how social conditions and cultural values affect peoples' life chances, problems and predicaments; covers basic concepts such as culture, socialization, social inequality, social power, deviance, social control and institutions."
I know I'll like sociology. I've always found culture, people, and history fascinating. I've been told I'll have to read and write a lot in this class. I didn't take many traditional lecture and discussion classes last spring, so I'm looking forward to being back in that setting. I just bought the book for this class (used, from another student, and at a great deal!) and it looks interesting and engaging.
Theatre 133: Voice and Diction
"Explores the fundamentals of voice production; examines including the nature of sound, projection, pronunciation, enunciation, phonetics (consonant and vowel articulation) in relation to standard American speech; emphasizes analysis of the individual student's voice and diction in a self-improving format."
Voice and diction is key for an actor, and any person really who speaks often publicly or for their profession. This will maybe be my most valuable class of the semester, in terms of future goals. It's also the equivalent of Speech 133 at my school, so since I haven't taken Speech 101 yet I'll be ahead of the game!
Have you ever taken classes similar to these? Are any of them in your line of interest or work? I would love to hear about other's educational experiences.
I go back August 30th. Since I pretty much never left CCBC this summer (I work there) I'm looking forward to getting back to class and not just sitting around. Though the lack of responsibility and homework is always appreciated!
Here's a fall preview, in form of descriptions of the five classes I'm registered for (taken from ccbcmd.edu) and then my commentaries to follow.
Math 03: Intermediate Algebra
"Covers rational expressions and equations, radicals, quadratic equations, complex numbers, functions and relations, and exponential and logarithmic functions."
Boring stuff first. I admit with some shame that this is the third time I'll be taking this section of mathematics. And if I don't pass this time, I have to take it at another college and be delayed in getting my A.A. Math is not something I am skilled at, and not something I gave due attention to in high school.
Music 160: Community Chorus
"Provides an opportunity for students to join with others in studying and singing choral music, both classical and popular."
I'm taking chorus so I can take a break from private voice lessons and still continue singing and growing. The director of the choir is my voice teacher. I'm looking to this because I'll simply be meeting people, learning new music, and having fun.
"Views human sexuality from biological, social, emotional, spiritual, cultural and historical viewpoints; covers topics such as gender formation, reproductive technology, STDs, sexual expression, and ways to build successful relationships will be presented."
I debated with myself quite a bit before signing up for this class. I get psychology credit for it, which I hope I could transfer to a four-year college. The teachers of this class are legendary at our school (an older married couple teaches it). I'm mainly taking it because I feel it's something that will teach me information that I've mostly been sheltered from, thereby equipping me to a better and wiser parent one day, and also contribute to my current relational skills and knowledge.
Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology
"Examines how social conditions and cultural values affect peoples' life chances, problems and predicaments; covers basic concepts such as culture, socialization, social inequality, social power, deviance, social control and institutions."
I know I'll like sociology. I've always found culture, people, and history fascinating. I've been told I'll have to read and write a lot in this class. I didn't take many traditional lecture and discussion classes last spring, so I'm looking forward to being back in that setting. I just bought the book for this class (used, from another student, and at a great deal!) and it looks interesting and engaging.
Theatre 133: Voice and Diction
"Explores the fundamentals of voice production; examines including the nature of sound, projection, pronunciation, enunciation, phonetics (consonant and vowel articulation) in relation to standard American speech; emphasizes analysis of the individual student's voice and diction in a self-improving format."
Voice and diction is key for an actor, and any person really who speaks often publicly or for their profession. This will maybe be my most valuable class of the semester, in terms of future goals. It's also the equivalent of Speech 133 at my school, so since I haven't taken Speech 101 yet I'll be ahead of the game!
Have you ever taken classes similar to these? Are any of them in your line of interest or work? I would love to hear about other's educational experiences.
I go back August 30th. Since I pretty much never left CCBC this summer (I work there) I'm looking forward to getting back to class and not just sitting around. Though the lack of responsibility and homework is always appreciated!
July 19, 2010
Sounds Truly Crazy; And True, The Vision's Hazy
I've been hiding away from the scorching summer days in a chilly office, surrounded by pleasant people and doing little of significance. I fill the copier, run to the vending machine, appease irritated students, make nice with demanding professors, and spy on the world via the glass-fronted office and my computer screen. Then my sandals echo through empty hallways and I go home.
Debbie- "I'm restless today. Something inside me wants to do something important.
Nathan- "But you're at work. That's important, isn't it?"
D- "Not really. Not in that sense. But yes.
N- "Important like what?"
D- "Important like...my brain would feel like it climbed a mountain. and then someone takes a picture that I'll look at ten years from now, and feel good about what I did."
N- "You want a project- Something to put effort into?
D- "Yes? Yes."
He recommended I make a list of challenging things that need doing or repairing and then offered to help me with it. He's so sweet. :-) But my longing goes so much deeper than that. I just can't put it into words.
On a lighter note, today made me think of this dialogue from Gilmore Girls:
LORELAI: Michel, we've been over this, we all cover the phone, that includes you.
MICHEL: Don't misunderstand. I want to answer it, I truly did, but today, today I am suffering from ennui.
LORELAI: Ennui?
MICHEL: Severe ennui. You know what ennui is, yes?
LORELAI: Yes. Um, Webster's defines ennui as a lazy soon to be out of work French concierge who won't answer the phone.
MICHEL: Look, I've had my peace with the fact that everyone who calls here is a notch above brain dead, and that the pennies I am thrown each week are in exchange for me dealing with these people in a nonviolent manner. And usually that is fine, but today, sorry lady, I have ennui.
*Sigh* Work tomorrow morning, then shooting pool and eating lunch with Boyfriend in the afternoon! If my days can't always have life-altering significance, at least they are pleasant.
Post title is from the song "The Wizard and I".
Debbie- "I'm restless today. Something inside me wants to do something important.
Nathan- "But you're at work. That's important, isn't it?"
D- "Not really. Not in that sense. But yes.
N- "Important like what?"
D- "Important like...my brain would feel like it climbed a mountain. and then someone takes a picture that I'll look at ten years from now, and feel good about what I did."
N- "You want a project- Something to put effort into?
D- "Yes? Yes."
He recommended I make a list of challenging things that need doing or repairing and then offered to help me with it. He's so sweet. :-) But my longing goes so much deeper than that. I just can't put it into words.
On a lighter note, today made me think of this dialogue from Gilmore Girls:
LORELAI: Michel, we've been over this, we all cover the phone, that includes you.
MICHEL: Don't misunderstand. I want to answer it, I truly did, but today, today I am suffering from ennui.
LORELAI: Ennui?
MICHEL: Severe ennui. You know what ennui is, yes?
LORELAI: Yes. Um, Webster's defines ennui as a lazy soon to be out of work French concierge who won't answer the phone.
MICHEL: Look, I've had my peace with the fact that everyone who calls here is a notch above brain dead, and that the pennies I am thrown each week are in exchange for me dealing with these people in a nonviolent manner. And usually that is fine, but today, sorry lady, I have ennui.
*Sigh* Work tomorrow morning, then shooting pool and eating lunch with Boyfriend in the afternoon! If my days can't always have life-altering significance, at least they are pleasant.
Post title is from the song "The Wizard and I".
July 15, 2010
My Fountain Soda
Glee" on Fox- Bubbly, sugary, empty-caloric goodness for my ears and eyes. :-) I <3 every minute of this performance from the season 1 finale.*
*-Actually in all honesty I have some minor issues with my love affair:
1) Rachel needs to shout less and project properly. Maybe it's just the way she's lip syncing that's throwing me off, but here it's not pretty.
2) The storyline that has Quinn performing with the club literally up until she popped a baby out is ludicrous to me.
3) I want to see and hear more of Santana (the female lead on the second verse of "Don't Stop Believin'").
But again; it's fountain soda, not champagne. I don't expect to be awed with perfection. Just entertained. And I <3 them for doing just that.
*-Actually in all honesty I have some minor issues with my love affair:
1) Rachel needs to shout less and project properly. Maybe it's just the way she's lip syncing that's throwing me off, but here it's not pretty.
2) The storyline that has Quinn performing with the club literally up until she popped a baby out is ludicrous to me.
3) I want to see and hear more of Santana (the female lead on the second verse of "Don't Stop Believin'").
But again; it's fountain soda, not champagne. I don't expect to be awed with perfection. Just entertained. And I <3 them for doing just that.
July 14, 2010
Jar of Hearts
I can't stop listening to this. I bought it on Monday night in the iTunes store, on a whim because I liked the preview, and wow, wow, wow...it's just so beautiful. And sad. And true.
It's playing on repeat right this moment. Hope at least one of you enjoys it as much as I do.
P.S. This song is Christina's first single, and you should definitely check out her youtube channel.
P.S. This song is Christina's first single, and you should definitely check out her youtube channel.
July 13, 2010
New Ventures
I'm completely sleep deprived...I need to leave for work in less than two hours, and am looking forward to later this afternoon when I will be free to try visiting the inside of my eyelids again!
Most of my recent posts have not really been about my life, so here's a little catch-up!
~Most blood tests (this time an endomysial antibody test) came back negative (meaning I probably don't have gluten damage in my small intestine). At this time, I've taken most of the hallmark Celiac tests and tested negative on them all. :-) Here's to hoping my gluten-intolerance will not be permanent. I have a doctors visit today for a consultation about my skin issues.
~As of Sunday, I became a mark. representative! When I get my online store launched I will have more details about my new business. I am so very excited, especially since I already have my first sale! And you can bet I'll use the products for some give-aways here on my blog!
~I'm signed up for my next theatre production! My new role is- stage manager! Barnstormers is having a one-act night to kick off the fall semester, and I will be learning the ropes as stage manager for the mini production. I'm so excited to learn more about things from a backstage perspective.
~My brother was away with a group from his church on his very first missions trip last week, and I missed him a lot. I was so surprised when he called my cell late Wednesday night, and delighted as he talked my ear off about how much he was learning, the fun he was having, and the awe and love he was developing for God. Since he has returned home his demeanor has been more calm, confident, and mature. It excites me to see him grow and learn new things, especially since I remember having some of the same experiences at his age.
~I had a great time babysitting/petsitting/housesitting last weekend. The children were perfectly behaved and I got to share the job with my best friend. Unfortunately both BFF and one of the kids got sick, so that was icky to deal with, but all in all we got through fine, and I made some much-needed extra cash. This week I'm earning more dough by checking up on a kitten and a chinchilla every day (Note: Chinchillas are only awesome for their fur. In living state, they are a bit gross, IMO).
Now I is off to the office. It's storming a lot here today, and while I love big storms I am hoping the rain holds off long enough to get from house to car to work.
Most of my recent posts have not really been about my life, so here's a little catch-up!
~Most blood tests (this time an endomysial antibody test) came back negative (meaning I probably don't have gluten damage in my small intestine). At this time, I've taken most of the hallmark Celiac tests and tested negative on them all. :-) Here's to hoping my gluten-intolerance will not be permanent. I have a doctors visit today for a consultation about my skin issues.
~As of Sunday, I became a mark. representative! When I get my online store launched I will have more details about my new business. I am so very excited, especially since I already have my first sale! And you can bet I'll use the products for some give-aways here on my blog!
~I'm signed up for my next theatre production! My new role is- stage manager! Barnstormers is having a one-act night to kick off the fall semester, and I will be learning the ropes as stage manager for the mini production. I'm so excited to learn more about things from a backstage perspective.
~My brother was away with a group from his church on his very first missions trip last week, and I missed him a lot. I was so surprised when he called my cell late Wednesday night, and delighted as he talked my ear off about how much he was learning, the fun he was having, and the awe and love he was developing for God. Since he has returned home his demeanor has been more calm, confident, and mature. It excites me to see him grow and learn new things, especially since I remember having some of the same experiences at his age.
~I had a great time babysitting/petsitting/housesitting last weekend. The children were perfectly behaved and I got to share the job with my best friend. Unfortunately both BFF and one of the kids got sick, so that was icky to deal with, but all in all we got through fine, and I made some much-needed extra cash. This week I'm earning more dough by checking up on a kitten and a chinchilla every day (Note: Chinchillas are only awesome for their fur. In living state, they are a bit gross, IMO).
Now I is off to the office. It's storming a lot here today, and while I love big storms I am hoping the rain holds off long enough to get from house to car to work.
July 11, 2010
Tether
I have praised You in all things
I learned to not doubt the course
You were with me in the valley
You gave me a taste of the summit
Now I've fallen
I'm still climbing but I'm slipping
And I'm begging You
Let me feel the taut pull of Your grace.
I learned to not doubt the course
You were with me in the valley
You gave me a taste of the summit
Now I've fallen
I'm still climbing but I'm slipping
And I'm begging You
Let me feel the taut pull of Your grace.
July 8, 2010
Thinking List
Currently On My Mind:
-Class registration. First I feel like I have too small of a credit load for the fall, then I add a class and freak out because I feel like I have too much.
-Earning money. God has blessed me with two extra odd job opportunities and up-coming larger than usual paycheck. I need to save like crazy as much as I can before school starts.
-Finding health insurance. Turns out that giving your information to ehealthinsurance.com renders not just a free estimate to peruse at your leisure. It also means your phone will ring off the hook all week long with calls from insurance brokers.
-My general health. I'm sick of the constant back-and-forth battle of healing my skin, eating enough, sleeping properly, and avoiding being near-suicidally depressed.
-Marriage. I did everything backwards. When I was ages 18 to 21 I could not wait to convince the guy I was dating to marry me. Now I'm almost 24 and dating a wonderful guy, but at times deeply frightened by the thought of life-long commitment (to him or anyone).
-Hating how empty my summer feels without the work of the youth conference I helped to run for three summers in a row. Also missing the community, the love, and the excitement that the conference brought to my life.
These are really heavy things that could each be a blog post to themselves. Listing them briefly just brings coherency to how I feel at the moment. :-\
Today and tomorrow I'm house sitting and babysitting (one of the odd jobs). Have a great weekend guys! <3
-Class registration. First I feel like I have too small of a credit load for the fall, then I add a class and freak out because I feel like I have too much.
-Earning money. God has blessed me with two extra odd job opportunities and up-coming larger than usual paycheck. I need to save like crazy as much as I can before school starts.
-Finding health insurance. Turns out that giving your information to ehealthinsurance.com renders not just a free estimate to peruse at your leisure. It also means your phone will ring off the hook all week long with calls from insurance brokers.
-My general health. I'm sick of the constant back-and-forth battle of healing my skin, eating enough, sleeping properly, and avoiding being near-suicidally depressed.
-Marriage. I did everything backwards. When I was ages 18 to 21 I could not wait to convince the guy I was dating to marry me. Now I'm almost 24 and dating a wonderful guy, but at times deeply frightened by the thought of life-long commitment (to him or anyone).
-Hating how empty my summer feels without the work of the youth conference I helped to run for three summers in a row. Also missing the community, the love, and the excitement that the conference brought to my life.
These are really heavy things that could each be a blog post to themselves. Listing them briefly just brings coherency to how I feel at the moment. :-\
Today and tomorrow I'm house sitting and babysitting (one of the odd jobs). Have a great weekend guys! <3
July 7, 2010
Fan Snark, Rydell High Style
Nate And Deb's Guide to "Grease"
This movie is not family friendly. If you think otherwise, one viewing of the number "Greased Lightning" will change your mind.
Rizzo and Kenickie are loads cooler than Danny and Sandy. Lets face it: Mr. Greasy Hair and Ms Australian Barbie spend most of the movie whining. Kenickie, on the other hand, carries a switchblade and worked all summer to buy himself a car. And Rizzo is..freakin' Stockard Channing. <3
At Rydell High, none of the graduating seniors have learned anything. This is demonstrated in the ensemble finale number, in which they all talk like preschoolers (Ex.: "Ramma lamma lamma ka dingity ding da dong, Shoo bop shoo wadda wadda yippity boom da boom, Chang chang changity chang shoo bop, Dip da dip da dip do wop da dooby do").
Said finale number ("We Go Together") is a totally unnecessary filler. The movie should have ended with the leather-panted awesomeness of "You're The One That I Want."
Frankie Valli's hair looks like a bush.
Cha Cha has an unsightly rib cage that shows through all her costumes.
The main messages to be gleaned from this movie are that happiness is achieved through conformity, and not going to college is cool.
To be continued! We're obsessed with this movie. I plan on acquiring a Pink Ladies t-shirt, and Nathan wants a T-Birds jacket. (The beginning of our obsession is documented here. We also attribute a bit of recent inspiriation to Sadako.)
Also, watching Nathan mouth the words to "Hopeless Devoted To You" is infinitely more entertaining than singing along myself. ;-)
July 6, 2010
July 5, 2010
Still An Emo Kid
Many moons ago when I was a different girl, I discovered a band called Straylight Run. I think it was via similarly-mind emo* friends who had SR lyrics on their Live Journals that I became familiar with this band. Many of us were attached to a particular song called "Existentialism On Prom Night" that has a haunting piano intro and poetic, repetitive lyrics. I haven't heard that song or thought of that band in at least four years. Then Nathan sent me a song by Straylight Run that was featured on one of our favourite television shows. I listened to "Hands In The Sky (Big Shot)" thinking, whoa, this isn't the Straylight Run I remember
So I decided to reacquaint myself with them, and now I can't leave their presence! "Existentialism" is still as haunting as ever, and I discovered a new favourite, "It's For The Best." Even though my personal philosophies aren't as bleak as those described in the song, I feel like this song was written for me. It describes the dark side of my heart perfectly.
So I decided to reacquaint myself with them, and now I can't leave their presence! "Existentialism" is still as haunting as ever, and I discovered a new favourite, "It's For The Best." Even though my personal philosophies aren't as bleak as those described in the song, I feel like this song was written for me. It describes the dark side of my heart perfectly.
"It takes more time than I've ever had,
Drains the life from me,
Makes me want to forget,
As young as I was,
I felt older back then,
More disciplined,
Stronger and certain,
But I was scared to death of eternity,
I was saved by grace,
But destroyed by naivety,
And I lied to myself,
And said it was for the best,
And now faith is replaced with a logic so cold
I've disregarded what I was,
Now that I'm older,
And I know much more than I did back then,
But the more I learn,
The more I can't understand,
And I've become content with this life that I lead,
Where I drink to much and don't believe in much of anything,
And I lie to myself,
And say it's for the best,
We're moving forward,
But holding ourselves back,
And we're waiting on something that will never come"
And we're waiting on something that will never come"
*= I don't know that my crowd back then truly fit into the emo category. However, acoustic guitars, funky hair, skinny jeans, bad poetry, obsessive love of the local music scene, and lots of angst were our main characteristics, therefore it's the best description I can offer. :-p
Woodstock Action
These make me smile! Aren't we cute, in an epic kind of way? :-p
(Don't yell at me for posting these, Boyfriend. At least I didn't steal them all and post them to Facebook!)
July 4, 2010
Fireworks and Other Stuff
*squeals* I love, love, love fireworks! They are one of my favourite things about summer, and probably what makes the 4th of July my favourite holiday.
"It's the Catonsville lovefest out here!"
"Yeah, we got ourselves some Woodstock action!"
Since we were in no way being inappropriate, we quietly giggled, ignoring them, and stayed as we were.
Tomorrow I am attending a cook-out at the home of some of Nathan's relatives, and meeting his extended family for the first time. I'm a little nervous.
Now it's past due time to try to sleep, which I am also nervous about. I'm experiencing some withdrawal from the steroid I was temporarily on, and my eczema is flaring up. Keep me in your prayers. I felt so awesome for two weeks, and I'm disappointed and depressed at the thought of going backwards from the progress I was making.
Happy 4th of July!
P.S. My first-ever guest post debuted on Nathan's blog today! Do Your Thing was written for Arts Appreciation Month.
July 2, 2010
Opera Outing
(This post is in partnership with "Arts Appreciation Month", hosted by Why Men Can't Cry)
Last weekend I went with Mara to the Baltimore Theater Project to see the operetta "Cendrillon". This French version of Cinderella was written by female composer Pauline Viardot in 1904. The play lasted about an hour, and was presented in a lighthearted style with minimal set and dresssings. Three of my friends from college were involved as crew and cast.
Opera is not really my thing, but the cast was entertaining enough to keep me engaged and clear enough in motivation to not lose any part of the story in the music. The actress playing
Cendrillon moved with delicacy but had a strong and lovely voice, and the actor playing the chamberlin Barigoule was hilarious! Their talent made me feel slightly daunted about the work I have to accomplish in voice training if I'm ever to perform music in theatre. Random note- the role of fairy godmother in this opera is for a coloratura soprano, which is a style of soprano that is within my voice range.
Last weekend I went with Mara to the Baltimore Theater Project to see the operetta "Cendrillon". This French version of Cinderella was written by female composer Pauline Viardot in 1904. The play lasted about an hour, and was presented in a lighthearted style with minimal set and dresssings. Three of my friends from college were involved as crew and cast.
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| Pauline Viardot |
Reading about Viardot on Wikipedia is incredibly fascinating. She was beautiful, she lived in Paris at the height of its fashion, she was wildly talented in the arts, she had famous and talented friends, and she lived a long life with a prolific career. I wonder if she was unusual for women of her culture and era, or if the life she lived was more common for European women than that of American women? She wrote 30 compositions, including vocal arrangements of works by Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert, and Joseph Hadyn. Viardot wrote "Cendrillon" when she was 84 and it was her last work.
Opera is not really my thing, but the cast was entertaining enough to keep me engaged and clear enough in motivation to not lose any part of the story in the music. The actress playing
Cendrillon moved with delicacy but had a strong and lovely voice, and the actor playing the chamberlin Barigoule was hilarious! Their talent made me feel slightly daunted about the work I have to accomplish in voice training if I'm ever to perform music in theatre. Random note- the role of fairy godmother in this opera is for a coloratura soprano, which is a style of soprano that is within my voice range.
July 1, 2010
Summer Hibernation
This week has felt really long. I didn't sleep much last night. While out shopping today my mom said something that hurt me. While going home from work my best friend said something that annoyed me. I've been worrying about and annoyed by various random issues at home all week.
So today after work I was excited to come home to an empty house. I made and ate a huge dinner, and then climbed into bed for a nap. I do not take naps. Like, I just can't. But with A Fine Frenzy flowing soothingly into my ears and the summer breeze blowing in the window, I fell asleep almost immediately and took the loveliest little nap one could wish for.
I decided that I am hibernating until tomorrow. I have a lot of things on my mind, and I am still very tired.
"And the rangers scream out to the cabins
They are the hunted
We are the rabbits
Maybe we don't want to be found
Maybe we don't want to be found"
-Rangers by A Fine Frenzy
~edit/P.S.~ Today the "I-need-a-vacation" syndrome set in. Anyone feeling me?
So today after work I was excited to come home to an empty house. I made and ate a huge dinner, and then climbed into bed for a nap. I do not take naps. Like, I just can't. But with A Fine Frenzy flowing soothingly into my ears and the summer breeze blowing in the window, I fell asleep almost immediately and took the loveliest little nap one could wish for.
I decided that I am hibernating until tomorrow. I have a lot of things on my mind, and I am still very tired.
"And the rangers scream out to the cabins
They are the hunted
We are the rabbits
Maybe we don't want to be found
Maybe we don't want to be found"
-Rangers by A Fine Frenzy
~edit/P.S.~ Today the "I-need-a-vacation" syndrome set in. Anyone feeling me?
"Arts Appreciation Month"
Today kicks off a month's worth of blog posts honoring the arts at Why Men Can't Cry. Boyfriend has been gearing up for this ever since the play we worked on together in April. There will be guest posts from me and other arts-minded bloggers, and posts from Nathan on many different art mediums. If you are involved in the arts in some way and would like to write a guest post, he would be thrilled to hear from you.
Have fun learning about and celebrating the arts with us! I have an arts post (opera-themed) debuting tomorrow, and I'll be trying to write a few others in support of Arts Appreciation Month.
P.S. I designed the buttons for this event! :-D
Have fun learning about and celebrating the arts with us! I have an arts post (opera-themed) debuting tomorrow, and I'll be trying to write a few others in support of Arts Appreciation Month.
P.S. I designed the buttons for this event! :-D
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