Yeah, I'm sooooo cold here in Boone. I woke up this morning and couldn't see the parking lot because it was covered in snow. So I put on a lot of clothes, my waterproof shoes....and go outside to do my favorite thing in the world....scrape my car...BAH! So I got to walk from class to class today out in the blistering cold wind, and having pieces of snow pelt me in the face in the process.
ANYWAY! So I was just venting to a good friend of mine about some of the people here at ASU that just bother me. Needless to say I was having a great gripe session about people that I just don't understand....some of which I'm close to. Anyway, in the middle of this I see my little email notifier thingy go off, which meant I had a new email. I opened it and it was a forward. The first thing I read said "God doesn't give you the people you want, he gives you the people you NEED. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person that you were meant to be." It hit me like a ton of bricks. It's funny how something as simple as an email can come to you right when you need it the most. There I was complaining about people, and what they have and haven't been to me....and how they've hurt me...and how I want this and that....and I get that email! Anyway, I just had to share! Bedtime for this chilly Boone girl!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
It's been forever...
Yea ok, it's been forever because I've been totally busy! My recital has come and gone thank goodness. It was an interesting day...my voice teacher's sister passed away unexpectedly that morning, so she couldn't come to my recital. Nothing about it could be helped, so I went into calling around to the voice faculty to try and find someone to help me warm up/unlock the recital hall for me...and find someone to video tape it. I got a hold of some rude people, and some obnoxious ones that wouldn't leave me alone...so without going into detail...I lived :) A good many people made it up here for the recital. Aunt Carol and Uncle Mikey...and the boys...Aunt Laura and Terry (who did an AMAZING job as my personal photographer), Grandma Dot, Grandma Charlotte and her husband Carroll, Cousin Leya, of course my parents, Katherine and Chris...and Aunt Peggy! A ton of my friends came, people from my church choir here in Boone, my former choir director and some of the kids in her choir, and some professors inside and outside of the music dept! I was amazed at the turn out, but still relieved that it's over!
Last weekend I went to Music Educators Conference in Winston-Salem. It's 4 days long, and I had a wonderful time. Saturday and Sunday I spent most of my time watching the honors chorus rehearsals. I'm an alumni of the High School honors chorus. They have Elementary, Middle and High school. Back in my day I think they auditioned about 1300 for High school and only 160 were chosen....I don't know the numbers now or for the different age groups....but the singers are the best in the state, so they bring in choral clinicians known throughout the nation to conduct the choirs. They sounded phenominal! Here's a youtube link to my favorite piece the high school did... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKy0SQmx6C8 ...they totally break it down in the middle/end!
I went to some seminars that were fantastic...I went to a lot on middle school voices...especially the changing male voice since I will be student teaching middle school. I also got to see the lady I hope to student teach with, which is also the person who inspired me at the age of 12 to go into music. I really hope it works out to where I am able to student teach with her....we find out for sure next month. It doesn't matter how discouraged I am, or tired of being so spread thin with music school, all I have to do is go and visit her, or watch her teach...and it reminds me of why I'm doing this!
I'm recovering from a bad cold. I haven't had a full blown cold in probably close to a year, so I was a huge baby about this one. I came down with it on my last night at conference, and came home on Tuesday to stay in bed for two days. To make matters even better I had to sing in front of the entire school of music on Friday afternoon....Friday morning at my rehearsal, I was sounding pretty rough, was really pale and clamy, and kept having to sit down because I was so weak! I didn't get near as nervous about that performance as I normally do because I just figured it'd be bad and there was nothing I could do about it. To my surprise that afternoon, everything came out ok...and I hadn't wasted my energy near as much on being nervous as I normally do.
I haven't been home in a month. Friday night I went to a voice recital of one of my friends...it started at 6 and lasted until 7:30....then we left there and went to the auditorium right next door to see the opera Carmen by Bizet. I did the famous aria from that on my recital...Habanera. The performers were members of a traveling opera company...parts of it were great....other parts I wasn't so amused. It was 3 hours long....11pm and I was in Applebees finally eating dinner! I didn't get to bed until well after 1am, only to get up early the next morning! I headed down to Maiden High School to sit in on the All-County chorus clinic...I'm friends with the choral teachers in Catawba Co. so we had a good time...and I enjoyed watching the clinician work with the singers. I got there around 10:30 am and left at 4....and went home just to see my family and look at the lake. It's funny how much I just miss seeing the water. You grow up all of your life waking up and seeing it....and then you go a long time away...you miss it! I went to dinner with my parents...came home and grabbed some music I needed and headed back up the mountain...I got here around 10:30pm....it was COLD and I was past exhausted. Guess who didn't get to sleep late today either!? I got up and went to church to sing....came home and cleaned for a few hours...and fell asleep for a good two hours. I was freezing...seemed like no matter how high I turned up the heat, I was still cold...and I slept in fleece pants, tshirt, and a fleece pullover....and had a homemade HEAVY quilt over me. I woke up, watched some of Jack Frost, and then went grocery shopping and came home to cook dinner. I just now finished eating and it's 10pm! I can't wait until Thanksgiving! I need to be home and I need to see my family....alllllllllll of them!
I took some pics of the choirs at conference with my phone....they aren't the greatest quality, but I'm still going to post them:
The first is Elementary, then Middle, and the last is High School
Last weekend I went to Music Educators Conference in Winston-Salem. It's 4 days long, and I had a wonderful time. Saturday and Sunday I spent most of my time watching the honors chorus rehearsals. I'm an alumni of the High School honors chorus. They have Elementary, Middle and High school. Back in my day I think they auditioned about 1300 for High school and only 160 were chosen....I don't know the numbers now or for the different age groups....but the singers are the best in the state, so they bring in choral clinicians known throughout the nation to conduct the choirs. They sounded phenominal! Here's a youtube link to my favorite piece the high school did... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKy0SQmx6C8 ...they totally break it down in the middle/end!
I went to some seminars that were fantastic...I went to a lot on middle school voices...especially the changing male voice since I will be student teaching middle school. I also got to see the lady I hope to student teach with, which is also the person who inspired me at the age of 12 to go into music. I really hope it works out to where I am able to student teach with her....we find out for sure next month. It doesn't matter how discouraged I am, or tired of being so spread thin with music school, all I have to do is go and visit her, or watch her teach...and it reminds me of why I'm doing this!
I'm recovering from a bad cold. I haven't had a full blown cold in probably close to a year, so I was a huge baby about this one. I came down with it on my last night at conference, and came home on Tuesday to stay in bed for two days. To make matters even better I had to sing in front of the entire school of music on Friday afternoon....Friday morning at my rehearsal, I was sounding pretty rough, was really pale and clamy, and kept having to sit down because I was so weak! I didn't get near as nervous about that performance as I normally do because I just figured it'd be bad and there was nothing I could do about it. To my surprise that afternoon, everything came out ok...and I hadn't wasted my energy near as much on being nervous as I normally do.
I haven't been home in a month. Friday night I went to a voice recital of one of my friends...it started at 6 and lasted until 7:30....then we left there and went to the auditorium right next door to see the opera Carmen by Bizet. I did the famous aria from that on my recital...Habanera. The performers were members of a traveling opera company...parts of it were great....other parts I wasn't so amused. It was 3 hours long....11pm and I was in Applebees finally eating dinner! I didn't get to bed until well after 1am, only to get up early the next morning! I headed down to Maiden High School to sit in on the All-County chorus clinic...I'm friends with the choral teachers in Catawba Co. so we had a good time...and I enjoyed watching the clinician work with the singers. I got there around 10:30 am and left at 4....and went home just to see my family and look at the lake. It's funny how much I just miss seeing the water. You grow up all of your life waking up and seeing it....and then you go a long time away...you miss it! I went to dinner with my parents...came home and grabbed some music I needed and headed back up the mountain...I got here around 10:30pm....it was COLD and I was past exhausted. Guess who didn't get to sleep late today either!? I got up and went to church to sing....came home and cleaned for a few hours...and fell asleep for a good two hours. I was freezing...seemed like no matter how high I turned up the heat, I was still cold...and I slept in fleece pants, tshirt, and a fleece pullover....and had a homemade HEAVY quilt over me. I woke up, watched some of Jack Frost, and then went grocery shopping and came home to cook dinner. I just now finished eating and it's 10pm! I can't wait until Thanksgiving! I need to be home and I need to see my family....alllllllllll of them!
I took some pics of the choirs at conference with my phone....they aren't the greatest quality, but I'm still going to post them:
The first is Elementary, then Middle, and the last is High School
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sooo Slack!
Yeahhh, I've totally been slack. Too much going on in my world right now! Last weekend was Homecoming weekend here at App. Friday night I went out with some of my friends to Macado's. I think every person in Boone was there! It was just nice to be with some people and it NOT be inside of the music building! The next day I slept kind of late and went to "tailgate" at a friend's apartment. Her apartment is right across the street from the music building and on the edge of campus, so it's the perfect location! I left there and went grocery shopping (no crowds there because of the game)...and made two pots of Taco Soup, and had some friends over that night. Then Sunday, up early to sing at church!!
School itself isn't too ridiculous right now, singing is! All voice majors have what is called a voice jury at the end of every semester, it's to present our vocal repetoire for that semester and get comments on our technique in order to get a grade for voice lessons. Well my RECITAL JURY....where I present all of my recital rep for the voice faculty was scheduled for the Monday after my fall break (10/20) ah! I'm going home, practicing, memorizing words, and singing my recital program at two different high schools for their music students. My recital is November 2nd, which is coming real fast! ugh! It starts at 4, so around 4:45, I'll be a completely new woman! I can't wait!
I'm a teeth grinder....all day, all night, doesn't matter, I crunch down on my teeth! I'm so cool that I finally got a Doctor's Night Guard. Last night was my first night wearing it, and surprisingly it stayed in all night. I was expecting to wake up and realize that I had thrown it across the room....BUT NO! Still safely nestled on my teef :) I'm not sure why I shared that! Probably because I'm sitting here wearing it right now. It gives me relief from clenching my teeth. My goodness, I'm boring.
I'll write more later...I'm sleepy!
School itself isn't too ridiculous right now, singing is! All voice majors have what is called a voice jury at the end of every semester, it's to present our vocal repetoire for that semester and get comments on our technique in order to get a grade for voice lessons. Well my RECITAL JURY....where I present all of my recital rep for the voice faculty was scheduled for the Monday after my fall break (10/20) ah! I'm going home, practicing, memorizing words, and singing my recital program at two different high schools for their music students. My recital is November 2nd, which is coming real fast! ugh! It starts at 4, so around 4:45, I'll be a completely new woman! I can't wait!
I'm a teeth grinder....all day, all night, doesn't matter, I crunch down on my teeth! I'm so cool that I finally got a Doctor's Night Guard. Last night was my first night wearing it, and surprisingly it stayed in all night. I was expecting to wake up and realize that I had thrown it across the room....BUT NO! Still safely nestled on my teef :) I'm not sure why I shared that! Probably because I'm sitting here wearing it right now. It gives me relief from clenching my teeth. My goodness, I'm boring.
I'll write more later...I'm sleepy!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The Weekend.
I came home this weekend and searched for apartments in Gastonia on Saturday. I met a friend of mine and he helped me since he's from down there. I don't want to get stuck in the bad part of town! We ate at Tony's for lunch. It's a place right in the middle of Gastonia that is known for their AMAZING ice cream! I left Gastonia, went home for about an hour and then made my way to Union Grove for a family reunion. I don't get to see that side of the family very often, so it was nice. I left there around 8 or 8:30 and came back to Boone. I'm a member of the choir at Boone UMC, so I had to be up and halfway conscious for both services this morning!
There is a painting that I have loved from the first moment I saw it. It was painted by Jack Vettriano and is called "The Singing Butler." I have talked about wanting a copy of it to hang over my bed for over a year now. Well, one weekend when I went home I had told Mom that it had been a challenging week to say the least. She proceeds to take me in the back room and pulls out this huge framed copy of this painting! She said she had found it and had put it back for Christmas, but decided that I could have it as a consolation prize because of the bad week I had just endured. I can hang pictures, but this one was so big that I knew I would need some help. Well, tonight was the night! After a few weeks of it sitting propped against my kitchen bar...it's finally hanging over my bed! A friend of mine had to help me...Ah I love it! Here's a picture...
Tonight was so much fun. My friend Justin and I get together every month, cook dinner, make chocolate covered strawberries and watch a movie. This month we had it at my place. I made Chicken Tetrazzini and we watched Sex and the City (great movie by the way!) Ah, I'm about to be in a sugar coma from all of these amazing chocolate strawberries! Well, I had better go and get my game face on for another long week!
There is a painting that I have loved from the first moment I saw it. It was painted by Jack Vettriano and is called "The Singing Butler." I have talked about wanting a copy of it to hang over my bed for over a year now. Well, one weekend when I went home I had told Mom that it had been a challenging week to say the least. She proceeds to take me in the back room and pulls out this huge framed copy of this painting! She said she had found it and had put it back for Christmas, but decided that I could have it as a consolation prize because of the bad week I had just endured. I can hang pictures, but this one was so big that I knew I would need some help. Well, tonight was the night! After a few weeks of it sitting propped against my kitchen bar...it's finally hanging over my bed! A friend of mine had to help me...Ah I love it! Here's a picture...
Tonight was so much fun. My friend Justin and I get together every month, cook dinner, make chocolate covered strawberries and watch a movie. This month we had it at my place. I made Chicken Tetrazzini and we watched Sex and the City (great movie by the way!) Ah, I'm about to be in a sugar coma from all of these amazing chocolate strawberries! Well, I had better go and get my game face on for another long week!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Funny
I have a few funny stories to tell. The first involves my face. I recently was "hired" to sing in a church choir up here in Boone. Well, on Sunday, this elderly lady walked up to me and said "Do you have a birth defect on your face?" ....and I'm so not kidding. She meant birth mark....but totally said DEFECT. So I said Yes....because I knew she was about to tell me to wipe the chocolate off of my chin (I've gotten that many times before). Then, as if that wasn't enough, she starts telling me that I can have it removed, or go to the skin doctor on "so and so street" and get my skin blended or something...then comes her showing me her age spots. I just found this funny. I mean, I've been told that I've got something on my chin, but never asked if I have a birth defect on my face. Haha, it just kills me.
This whole gas thing is just annoying. Boone is a small town, with a TON of people....whether it be people that live in town, out in the hills, or the thousands of college students...there just aren't enough gas stations. So I waited in line for FOREVER today to get gas. To make things just peachy, no one was allowed to use their credit card at the pump, they had to go in for whatever reason....AND the man infront of me was driving a truck that was big enough to park 6 lawn mowers on the back....seriously. He only had one lawn mower in the back....and a good many gas cans. So I got to sit there and wait. After my insomnia did me such a favor last night and I had just gotten out of being in class ALL day running off of maybe 3 hours of sleep, I was a little less than pleasant while watching this man fill up his stupid gas cans. BAH! Anyway, that's not the good part. The good part is when my friend Tracy went to get gas. He said there was a LONG line and some extremely brave woman nosed her car up in between the two cars at the front of the line so that she would be very next to pump her gas. Well since she passed about 30 people, obviously it wasn't a good situation. Apparently when she pulled up to the pump and got out of her car to pump her gas, the woman on the other side was mad. She was in her 60's and sporting a lexus. This woman proceeded to walk to the other side of the island to the lady who had passed everyone and punched her dead in the face. Right on the nose. HA! This apparently knocked her off of her feet and the whole crowd of people watching and waiting that she had passed...were applauding. Lexus lady turned around and got in her car and left, while the moron picked herself up off of the pavement and went ahead and pumped her gas with a bloody nose! I'm just surprised she touched the gas pump after that! Haha...the story alone just cracks me up!...Ah, if I had only been there!! :)
This whole gas thing is just annoying. Boone is a small town, with a TON of people....whether it be people that live in town, out in the hills, or the thousands of college students...there just aren't enough gas stations. So I waited in line for FOREVER today to get gas. To make things just peachy, no one was allowed to use their credit card at the pump, they had to go in for whatever reason....AND the man infront of me was driving a truck that was big enough to park 6 lawn mowers on the back....seriously. He only had one lawn mower in the back....and a good many gas cans. So I got to sit there and wait. After my insomnia did me such a favor last night and I had just gotten out of being in class ALL day running off of maybe 3 hours of sleep, I was a little less than pleasant while watching this man fill up his stupid gas cans. BAH! Anyway, that's not the good part. The good part is when my friend Tracy went to get gas. He said there was a LONG line and some extremely brave woman nosed her car up in between the two cars at the front of the line so that she would be very next to pump her gas. Well since she passed about 30 people, obviously it wasn't a good situation. Apparently when she pulled up to the pump and got out of her car to pump her gas, the woman on the other side was mad. She was in her 60's and sporting a lexus. This woman proceeded to walk to the other side of the island to the lady who had passed everyone and punched her dead in the face. Right on the nose. HA! This apparently knocked her off of her feet and the whole crowd of people watching and waiting that she had passed...were applauding. Lexus lady turned around and got in her car and left, while the moron picked herself up off of the pavement and went ahead and pumped her gas with a bloody nose! I'm just surprised she touched the gas pump after that! Haha...the story alone just cracks me up!...Ah, if I had only been there!! :)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Survey
I took this from Melissa's blog :)
1. What time did you get up this morning? 9am
2. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
3. What was the last film that you saw at the cinema? Sex and the City
4. What is your favorite TV show? THE GOLDEN GIRLS!
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? I don't typically eat.
6. What is your middle name? Ashley
7. What food do you dislike? Carrots
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Brandi Carlile, The Story
9. What kind of car do you drive? Grand am
10. Favorite sandwich? depends on the day...I like wraps better
11. What characteristic do you despise in others? Anyone too egotistical, that is "two-faced" or lies.
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Tour Europe
14. Where would you retire to? I agree with Melissa...I'll end up on Lake Norman :)
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? #16 was my favorite.
16. Favorite sport to watch? I don't really care...football I guess. 17. Furthest place you are sending this? I don't know...
18. Person you expect to send it back first? who knows!
19. When is your birthday? July 8
20. Are you a morning person or a night? Night!
21. What is your shoe size? 10, lol... 22. Pets? Maxine, my 18 yr old cat...another cat Ralph, and a REAL BIG dog Annie
23. Any new exciting news you’d like to share with us? Ha, I get to spend my saturday being a judge at NC Honors mock auditions. I will listen to high schoolers sing the same cut of the same song over and over again...
24. What did you want to be when you were little? A singer...I think? And a teacher...
25. How old are you today? 21
26. What is your favorite flower? Orchid
27. What is a day on your calendar that you are looking forward to? November 3rd...because it's the day after my senior voice recital.
28. What is your full name? Maria Ashley Parker
29. What are you listening to right now? Mom on the phone
30. What was the last thing you ate? Frozen Yogurt with chocolate "magic shell" 31. Do you wish on stars? no
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? pink :)
33. How is your weather right now? a little nip in the air!
34. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Mom
35. Favorite soft drink? Sundrop
36. Last place you ate out? McAlister's Deli with the parents
37. Hair color? brown
38. What was your favorite toy as a child? I had a lot of favorites :)
39. Summer or winter? Summer
40. Hugs or kisses? Hugs for everyone! Kisses for some :)
41. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate 42. Coffee or tea? Coffee!
43. Do you want friends to email you back? ...this isn't an email
44. When was the last time you cried? I'm a basket case..that's a loaded question :)
45. What is under your bed? Music Stand
46. What did you do last night? Finalized my recital proposal and had dinner with my family.
47. What are you afraid of? lots of things
48. Salty or sweet? it depends
49. How many keys on your ring? Five I think
50. How many years at your current job? I'm still in college...
51. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
52. How many towns have you lived in? Two.
53. Do you make friends easily? yes
54. How many people will you send this to? Who knows!
55. How many will respond? No clue :)
56. Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends? Yes.
57. What is the last book you read? I'm sure it was something for a class...so I'm going to say the last book I read was Tuesdays with Morrie. I've read it three times now, and plan to again soon...I learn something from it everytime I pick it up.
1. What time did you get up this morning? 9am
2. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
3. What was the last film that you saw at the cinema? Sex and the City
4. What is your favorite TV show? THE GOLDEN GIRLS!
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? I don't typically eat.
6. What is your middle name? Ashley
7. What food do you dislike? Carrots
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Brandi Carlile, The Story
9. What kind of car do you drive? Grand am
10. Favorite sandwich? depends on the day...I like wraps better
11. What characteristic do you despise in others? Anyone too egotistical, that is "two-faced" or lies.
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Tour Europe
14. Where would you retire to? I agree with Melissa...I'll end up on Lake Norman :)
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? #16 was my favorite.
16. Favorite sport to watch? I don't really care...football I guess. 17. Furthest place you are sending this? I don't know...
18. Person you expect to send it back first? who knows!
19. When is your birthday? July 8
20. Are you a morning person or a night? Night!
21. What is your shoe size? 10, lol... 22. Pets? Maxine, my 18 yr old cat...another cat Ralph, and a REAL BIG dog Annie
23. Any new exciting news you’d like to share with us? Ha, I get to spend my saturday being a judge at NC Honors mock auditions. I will listen to high schoolers sing the same cut of the same song over and over again...
24. What did you want to be when you were little? A singer...I think? And a teacher...
25. How old are you today? 21
26. What is your favorite flower? Orchid
27. What is a day on your calendar that you are looking forward to? November 3rd...because it's the day after my senior voice recital.
28. What is your full name? Maria Ashley Parker
29. What are you listening to right now? Mom on the phone
30. What was the last thing you ate? Frozen Yogurt with chocolate "magic shell" 31. Do you wish on stars? no
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? pink :)
33. How is your weather right now? a little nip in the air!
34. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Mom
35. Favorite soft drink? Sundrop
36. Last place you ate out? McAlister's Deli with the parents
37. Hair color? brown
38. What was your favorite toy as a child? I had a lot of favorites :)
39. Summer or winter? Summer
40. Hugs or kisses? Hugs for everyone! Kisses for some :)
41. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate 42. Coffee or tea? Coffee!
43. Do you want friends to email you back? ...this isn't an email
44. When was the last time you cried? I'm a basket case..that's a loaded question :)
45. What is under your bed? Music Stand
46. What did you do last night? Finalized my recital proposal and had dinner with my family.
47. What are you afraid of? lots of things
48. Salty or sweet? it depends
49. How many keys on your ring? Five I think
50. How many years at your current job? I'm still in college...
51. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
52. How many towns have you lived in? Two.
53. Do you make friends easily? yes
54. How many people will you send this to? Who knows!
55. How many will respond? No clue :)
56. Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends? Yes.
57. What is the last book you read? I'm sure it was something for a class...so I'm going to say the last book I read was Tuesdays with Morrie. I've read it three times now, and plan to again soon...I learn something from it everytime I pick it up.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
A Little Passion
This weekend we went on a choir retreat. It was a time that we could spend together to get to know one another and to learn some of our music. We went to Blowing Rock Conference Center. It turned out to be a great experience in my opinion, not just for the fellowship with other choir members, but because of the musical experience. I'm sorry for those of you who are routine readers of my blog and have no particular interest in music, because I'm about to let go! All music pulls at me in some way, some types make me want to dance, some challenges me harmonically and rhythmically, some put me to sleep, and other pieces...choral music in particular can bring me to my knees. For something to be so powerful, that I find myself holding my breath while I'm listening is an incredible feeling. Grant it, there are some heart stopping performances in the choral world, but it seems to me that the magic really happens in rehearsal. We're all together learning pieces, exchanging views on what the text means, and how the notes paint the text. Many times after we talk about what the text means to us personally, the sound changes, because our hearts change. Today at choir retreat we started on a piece entitled "I Am Not Yours." The recording is playing on my blog page. The text is as follows:
I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.
You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.
Oh plunge me deep in love - put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in the rushing wind.
-Sara Teasdale
Our general interpretation is that the woman who wrote the poem is talking about a man being deeply in love with her, but she, for whatever reason, cannot love him like she should...although she wants to. Maybe it's just not right, and the feelings aren't there? ...Or perhaps something tragic happened in her past that made her incapable to completely let go and love? In the music, the sopranos and tenors are saying "lost as a candle...etc" while the altos and bass are saying "I am a candle." A friend of mine mentioned that he felt like the sopranos and tenors are the woman, talking about being lost, but the bass and altos are saying I am a candle, I am a snowflake...etc...like he's there pleading and saying, I will be those things for you. This piece is absolutely heart wrenching.
We sang through it a few times, but after we stopped and talked about what it meant, everything about it changed. The sounds, the passion, the expression on the faces of the singers. It made it come to life. I was at Mars Hill Choral Clinic this past Feb. which is a choral festival for exceptional singers at the high school level. They did this piece, and their director was absolutely incredible. In the rehearsal he had the choir members to come off of the stage and circle around the auditorium holding hands...he had one girl start at the back of the auditorium and when the singing started she slowly made her way to him at the front on the podium. Throughout the entire song, their eyes stayed locked on one another. Truly one of the most powerful things I've ever seen. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. Music educators from across the state, and students alike were in tears.
Things like this...experiences and emotions...and the irreplaceable value, meaning and power of music are what keeps me going. It's so easy to get caught up in the technicalities of music ...especially as a music student...but then something like this happens and reminds me and others alike that it's the heart that is the driving force behind it all. A friend of mine who is not particularly religious said in reference to a beautiful and touching piece once that that's when she feels God, to hear music like that, how could you ever doubt it? Of course, there are other wonderful and amazing reminders to us that he is always there, but right now I am particularly thankful for the vast array of music that he has put into our lives. There is a quote that I have always loved:
"Bach gave us God's Word. Mozart gave us God's laughter. Beethoven gave us God's fire. God gave us Music that we might pray without words." -unknown
I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.
You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.
Oh plunge me deep in love - put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in the rushing wind.
-Sara Teasdale
Our general interpretation is that the woman who wrote the poem is talking about a man being deeply in love with her, but she, for whatever reason, cannot love him like she should...although she wants to. Maybe it's just not right, and the feelings aren't there? ...Or perhaps something tragic happened in her past that made her incapable to completely let go and love? In the music, the sopranos and tenors are saying "lost as a candle...etc" while the altos and bass are saying "I am a candle." A friend of mine mentioned that he felt like the sopranos and tenors are the woman, talking about being lost, but the bass and altos are saying I am a candle, I am a snowflake...etc...like he's there pleading and saying, I will be those things for you. This piece is absolutely heart wrenching.
We sang through it a few times, but after we stopped and talked about what it meant, everything about it changed. The sounds, the passion, the expression on the faces of the singers. It made it come to life. I was at Mars Hill Choral Clinic this past Feb. which is a choral festival for exceptional singers at the high school level. They did this piece, and their director was absolutely incredible. In the rehearsal he had the choir members to come off of the stage and circle around the auditorium holding hands...he had one girl start at the back of the auditorium and when the singing started she slowly made her way to him at the front on the podium. Throughout the entire song, their eyes stayed locked on one another. Truly one of the most powerful things I've ever seen. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. Music educators from across the state, and students alike were in tears.
Things like this...experiences and emotions...and the irreplaceable value, meaning and power of music are what keeps me going. It's so easy to get caught up in the technicalities of music ...especially as a music student...but then something like this happens and reminds me and others alike that it's the heart that is the driving force behind it all. A friend of mine who is not particularly religious said in reference to a beautiful and touching piece once that that's when she feels God, to hear music like that, how could you ever doubt it? Of course, there are other wonderful and amazing reminders to us that he is always there, but right now I am particularly thankful for the vast array of music that he has put into our lives. There is a quote that I have always loved:
"Bach gave us God's Word. Mozart gave us God's laughter. Beethoven gave us God's fire. God gave us Music that we might pray without words." -unknown
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Frustration.
First of all...this website has been giving me a fit for the past few days. I'll go to my blog page and it's like internet explorer will freeze...and my music doesn't play. I end up having to do the whole ctrl, alt, del, and ending task deal. Anyone else having issues with this?
Well that's not the only reason I'm frustrated. I'm not going to go into everything that's been on my mind for the past few weeks. The only minor part of all of this that I'll say is I really wonder sometimes what would happen if I treated people the way they treat me? I just feel like if I didn't smile, take what's thrown at me, and get over it, that I'll just be alone and unhappy... Just food for thought.
On a lighter note, I joined a church choir here in Boone. It's the Boone United Methodist Church and their choir is pretty good...and they sing some great music. I really enjoy the interaction with adults (and church folks)....I've been told on more than one occasion that I have an old soul...I just enjoy the company of people older than I am, I've always been this way. Music is a huge part of the Christian Ministry for me, so it's nice to be free from the stuff that goes on in college and have some nice spiritual time. The rehearsal last night did me a world of good.
Well, Travis is on his way over here. Maybe I should start paying him haha, he's always there for me when I need him. I'm cooking BBQ short ribs...one of my favorite things to eat! I think I'm going to close for now...the rest of the night is ahead of me :)
Well that's not the only reason I'm frustrated. I'm not going to go into everything that's been on my mind for the past few weeks. The only minor part of all of this that I'll say is I really wonder sometimes what would happen if I treated people the way they treat me? I just feel like if I didn't smile, take what's thrown at me, and get over it, that I'll just be alone and unhappy... Just food for thought.
On a lighter note, I joined a church choir here in Boone. It's the Boone United Methodist Church and their choir is pretty good...and they sing some great music. I really enjoy the interaction with adults (and church folks)....I've been told on more than one occasion that I have an old soul...I just enjoy the company of people older than I am, I've always been this way. Music is a huge part of the Christian Ministry for me, so it's nice to be free from the stuff that goes on in college and have some nice spiritual time. The rehearsal last night did me a world of good.
Well, Travis is on his way over here. Maybe I should start paying him haha, he's always there for me when I need him. I'm cooking BBQ short ribs...one of my favorite things to eat! I think I'm going to close for now...the rest of the night is ahead of me :)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Update
I felt a bit out of the loop when I signed on and all of my cousins on my blog list had updated and I hadn't!
I went to the mountains for Labor Day weekend. We have a house in Virginia near Hillsville...home of a HUGE flea market that I care absolutely nothing about. On Sunday we went down the New River in a Canoe! For those of you that know me, you know that this was out of my character. Mom and Dad shared a canoe and Katherine and I shared another one. Dad is skilled in paddling because he kayaks most every weekend...but for the rest of us, it was not a good situation. Katherine stuck her foot in the water and marred up to her shins in mud before she even made it to the boat. We finally pushed off the land and our boat headed straight for the bank where I got a face full of brush that was probably the home to about a thousand mosquitoes, ticks, and a few snakes....it's ok though, I came through it blemish free...just in time for us to move 2 feet and get stuck on a rock. Needless to say, the first five minutes were a challenge and I was ready to be done with it. Things ended up getting better. Katherine and I LOVE to sing like little kids when we're together. On the way down the river, we were paddling and singing some of our favorite songs from our childhood. This included the song from the old Disney classic The Sword in the Stone. "To and fro, stop and go, that's what makes the world go 'round"....so we were singing this in the worst singing voices possible for a good 20 minutes. We decided to turn around at some point for whatever reason and saw that there was a couple right behind us in a canoe that had been listening (and laughing) the entire time. Oh well, saving the world one children's song at a time!
I'm sure I'll miss school when I leave...in fact, I know I will...but right now I'm ready to be finished. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of the mentality of most college aged people right now...self absorbed and not very dependable. I'm hoping that things will improve when I'm away from the college setting...or maybe all I need is a change of scenery. I'll miss choir. I'll miss being in front of the podium rather than my big future of being behind it. I'll probably never get to sing in a choir of this caliber once I graduate.
I spoke to my long time friend and mentor today. She always puts me in the right frame of mind. I met her when I was a 7th grader. I was asked to participate in All-County chorus and she was the guest conductor. I had been musical my entire life, but had never thought about making it a career. I decided within the first few minutes of her rehearsal that I was going to be a music teacher, and I haven't changed my mind since. When I get tired and discouraged with all of the CRAP that comes with being a musician ...or being a music major...I write, call, or visit her. She reminds me of the love that I have for Music Education, and tugs at that passion I have inside of me that she evoked when I was only 12 years old. It was good for me to talk to her today...I'm 99% sure that I will student teach with her. The only thing that could stop it is if the education dept or school systems have a glitch and won't place me with her.
My laptop is running out of power, and I'm afraid I am as well. I will write more later.
I went to the mountains for Labor Day weekend. We have a house in Virginia near Hillsville...home of a HUGE flea market that I care absolutely nothing about. On Sunday we went down the New River in a Canoe! For those of you that know me, you know that this was out of my character. Mom and Dad shared a canoe and Katherine and I shared another one. Dad is skilled in paddling because he kayaks most every weekend...but for the rest of us, it was not a good situation. Katherine stuck her foot in the water and marred up to her shins in mud before she even made it to the boat. We finally pushed off the land and our boat headed straight for the bank where I got a face full of brush that was probably the home to about a thousand mosquitoes, ticks, and a few snakes....it's ok though, I came through it blemish free...just in time for us to move 2 feet and get stuck on a rock. Needless to say, the first five minutes were a challenge and I was ready to be done with it. Things ended up getting better. Katherine and I LOVE to sing like little kids when we're together. On the way down the river, we were paddling and singing some of our favorite songs from our childhood. This included the song from the old Disney classic The Sword in the Stone. "To and fro, stop and go, that's what makes the world go 'round"....so we were singing this in the worst singing voices possible for a good 20 minutes. We decided to turn around at some point for whatever reason and saw that there was a couple right behind us in a canoe that had been listening (and laughing) the entire time. Oh well, saving the world one children's song at a time!
I'm sure I'll miss school when I leave...in fact, I know I will...but right now I'm ready to be finished. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of the mentality of most college aged people right now...self absorbed and not very dependable. I'm hoping that things will improve when I'm away from the college setting...or maybe all I need is a change of scenery. I'll miss choir. I'll miss being in front of the podium rather than my big future of being behind it. I'll probably never get to sing in a choir of this caliber once I graduate.
I spoke to my long time friend and mentor today. She always puts me in the right frame of mind. I met her when I was a 7th grader. I was asked to participate in All-County chorus and she was the guest conductor. I had been musical my entire life, but had never thought about making it a career. I decided within the first few minutes of her rehearsal that I was going to be a music teacher, and I haven't changed my mind since. When I get tired and discouraged with all of the CRAP that comes with being a musician ...or being a music major...I write, call, or visit her. She reminds me of the love that I have for Music Education, and tugs at that passion I have inside of me that she evoked when I was only 12 years old. It was good for me to talk to her today...I'm 99% sure that I will student teach with her. The only thing that could stop it is if the education dept or school systems have a glitch and won't place me with her.
My laptop is running out of power, and I'm afraid I am as well. I will write more later.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A look back in time...
I've really gotten into this old picture business. It's just so much fun to look back on what people looked like and the things they did back when our Grandparents were young. It's funny, I've always thought of my grandparents as grandparents, and older members of my family just as I see them now. It's hard to imagine them being my age. There are pictures of my grandfather in his baseball uniform...and of my Aunt Alda and her husband in the grass infront of their old school. She said on Saturdays driving around and going places is what they did for fun. It's fun to look back, to open my thoughts to the entire life they led before I ever came about. Somehow I wish I could've known them...then. How different it would've been! Did they laugh about the same things I laugh about now? What about the jokes my friends and I share? I love to laugh...were they as playful as I can be? What about insecurities...and passions? Was their skin a little thicker? Or did they cry after a bad day like I have many times? Although the same people are inside, I just find myself wondering who they were and how they acted when these pictures were taken. During the height of sundresses and high heels, getting married so young, raising children, and spending Saturday afternoons piling into a car together just to go somewhere to have a picnic. I know this is odd to think about...but I can't help it. It just strikes me that these people I love and have become so attached to had as many as 50-70 years of life behind them before I came to know them. Living, and all of the experiences of life mold and shape us forever until our lives come to a close. Who were they and how did they act then?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The "more later" that I promised....
It's the middle of the day and I just left the dentist for my 5th and final visit...thank goodness. It only took 3 tries to get me numb this time. If anything else like this happens, I wonder if they would listen to me if I suggested just putting me to sleep and doing it all at once! It's a good thing that this was the last encounter with my dentist for a while, because my patience is running paper thin when it comes to dental work right now.
This summer has flown by it seems. The first half of the summer I was in classes and voice lessons...then I was in between home and Boone for various reasons. I've gotten a lot closer to some members of my family over the past month or so. I think a lot of it had to do with my recital. There was a lot of preparation for it. Not just musically, but with the invitations and the reception. I needed help with it, and my family stepped up to the plate! I got to have a few nice lunch dates with some people that I hardly get to see. It's amazing what you can accomplish and how many different levels you can connect with someone just by sitting across from them chatting for a few hours. Rehearsals with Carol for the recital were just wonderful. She is one of my favorite people in the world. We have such a great time...her talent is amazing, and her wonderful personality always puts me in a wonderful mood...and keeps me calmer and in better spirits in a performance setting (which is important)! Anyway, I'm really going to miss seeing her and working with her every week. It's the same story with Steve and Mary. I spent some time at their house this summer rehearsing my closing piece that Steve played with me on the piano. We would practice for maybe 15 or 20 minutes and then talk for an hour or so! I don't get to see them very often, so it was nice to spend some time getting to know them better this summer.
Another place that I've been a frequent visitor over the past few months is my Aunt Alda's house. She is Grandpa Lewis' sister. Lately I've been going through some of the old family pictures that she has. This has been so much fun! I love seeing pictures of my aunts, uncles, and cousins when they were young. Looking at the pictures together always sparks a conversation about the day it was taken and what was happening then. I absolutely LOVE stuff like that! I've been spoiled and gotten used to seeing Aunt Alda pretty regularly in the past few months...I'll miss it when school starts!
I wish camp meeting happened more than once a year. It ALWAYS draws the family closer because we're all together so much during this time. It's nice to sit there without distractions of technology (there are no computers, tvs, etc) and just visit! I'm sad that it's going to be over!
I realized how lost I am without my parents and little sister around last night. Katherine's boyfriend and his family went to Topsail beach for their vacation. Katherine couldn't ride down with them because of a cake decorating class and senior pictures, so Mom and Dad took her down yesterday after she was finished with everything. They stayed the night because it was too much driving for one day, and I was all alone!! I survived (although I slept with a couple lights on inside and outside of the house) Ha :)
Well I guess I had better close. I'm at my parent's office making copies of sight-singing music for a high school kid I know that needs some. AND my mouth hurts! My gums back where the work was done are black and blue...and I'm in some pain...The numbing is wearing off and I'm not a happy camper! Hello Orajel and Advil!
This summer has flown by it seems. The first half of the summer I was in classes and voice lessons...then I was in between home and Boone for various reasons. I've gotten a lot closer to some members of my family over the past month or so. I think a lot of it had to do with my recital. There was a lot of preparation for it. Not just musically, but with the invitations and the reception. I needed help with it, and my family stepped up to the plate! I got to have a few nice lunch dates with some people that I hardly get to see. It's amazing what you can accomplish and how many different levels you can connect with someone just by sitting across from them chatting for a few hours. Rehearsals with Carol for the recital were just wonderful. She is one of my favorite people in the world. We have such a great time...her talent is amazing, and her wonderful personality always puts me in a wonderful mood...and keeps me calmer and in better spirits in a performance setting (which is important)! Anyway, I'm really going to miss seeing her and working with her every week. It's the same story with Steve and Mary. I spent some time at their house this summer rehearsing my closing piece that Steve played with me on the piano. We would practice for maybe 15 or 20 minutes and then talk for an hour or so! I don't get to see them very often, so it was nice to spend some time getting to know them better this summer.
Another place that I've been a frequent visitor over the past few months is my Aunt Alda's house. She is Grandpa Lewis' sister. Lately I've been going through some of the old family pictures that she has. This has been so much fun! I love seeing pictures of my aunts, uncles, and cousins when they were young. Looking at the pictures together always sparks a conversation about the day it was taken and what was happening then. I absolutely LOVE stuff like that! I've been spoiled and gotten used to seeing Aunt Alda pretty regularly in the past few months...I'll miss it when school starts!
I wish camp meeting happened more than once a year. It ALWAYS draws the family closer because we're all together so much during this time. It's nice to sit there without distractions of technology (there are no computers, tvs, etc) and just visit! I'm sad that it's going to be over!
I realized how lost I am without my parents and little sister around last night. Katherine's boyfriend and his family went to Topsail beach for their vacation. Katherine couldn't ride down with them because of a cake decorating class and senior pictures, so Mom and Dad took her down yesterday after she was finished with everything. They stayed the night because it was too much driving for one day, and I was all alone!! I survived (although I slept with a couple lights on inside and outside of the house) Ha :)
Well I guess I had better close. I'm at my parent's office making copies of sight-singing music for a high school kid I know that needs some. AND my mouth hurts! My gums back where the work was done are black and blue...and I'm in some pain...The numbing is wearing off and I'm not a happy camper! Hello Orajel and Advil!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A sigh of relief...
My recital is over! I will have to say that it was one of the most nerve racking experiences I've ever had. It was different from any other place I've performed. I was ready to be sick starting a few days before, but once I got on the stage, nerves kinda went away. I mean I was dealing with little nerves...but it was the first time I wasn't trying to keep my body and voice from shaking. I was as anxious as anyone would be, but it was definitely the best I've ever felt on a stage. Maybe it was the crowd. While I was singing, I was looking into the faces of people in my life that I love. The support from my family never fails to amaze me. Once everything was over, and I was at home that night alone with my thoughts...thinking about the people that came, helped, and the wonderful comments they made was overwhelming. I have pictures up online! www.picturetrail.com/mparker78
More later...
More later...
Friday, August 8, 2008
Not so late.
So I'm writing and it's actually before 1am. It's 10:23...but as sleepy as I am already, let's see how long this one takes me! I'm getting sooo nervous about my recital!! Tomorrow is the dress rehearsal which means the next day is the real deal..ah! I'm dealing with a ton of dust that's apparently gotten in my lungs...so I've been sneezing all day :( Hopefully with the help of all the smart water and orange juice I've been chugging, everything will go ok.
I know it's natural...but sometimes the fact that I miss the people I've lost gets a lot worse sometimes. Right now is one of those times. One of the people is my Grandpa Lewis. He lived right across the road from me...and I was naturally VERY attached to him. Sometimes if I hadn't seen him in a while I would just have to skip across the road to steal a hug. He was quiet most of the time...and I knew if I had made him burst out laughing, I had done something pretty funny :) I think of him a lot. I know he'll be listening on my recital day...and he'll be watching at every important event of my life, I just miss him more than I could ever say...
Another person is my cousin Marlene. She was a music teacher in Davidson county. She passed away a few days before her 40th Birthday...I had an email on my computer from her two days before her death. She was congratulating me on being admitted into the music school at Appalachian. I think about her a lot while I'm at music conferences and such, because I know if she were around today, she would be there. I got an email from her husband today saying that she would be proud of me (in regards to my recital). Anyway...I just have a lot on my mind! The day after Marlene passed away I went to Mars Hill Honors chorus and one of the pieces was entitled In Remembrance by Eleanor Daley. I first read the text probably a month after Grandpa died, so the song will always be special to me. The words are very hopeful and inspiring.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight-ripened grain,
I am the gentle morning rain.
And when you wake in the morning’s hush,
I am the sweet uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
I know it's natural...but sometimes the fact that I miss the people I've lost gets a lot worse sometimes. Right now is one of those times. One of the people is my Grandpa Lewis. He lived right across the road from me...and I was naturally VERY attached to him. Sometimes if I hadn't seen him in a while I would just have to skip across the road to steal a hug. He was quiet most of the time...and I knew if I had made him burst out laughing, I had done something pretty funny :) I think of him a lot. I know he'll be listening on my recital day...and he'll be watching at every important event of my life, I just miss him more than I could ever say...
Another person is my cousin Marlene. She was a music teacher in Davidson county. She passed away a few days before her 40th Birthday...I had an email on my computer from her two days before her death. She was congratulating me on being admitted into the music school at Appalachian. I think about her a lot while I'm at music conferences and such, because I know if she were around today, she would be there. I got an email from her husband today saying that she would be proud of me (in regards to my recital). Anyway...I just have a lot on my mind! The day after Marlene passed away I went to Mars Hill Honors chorus and one of the pieces was entitled In Remembrance by Eleanor Daley. I first read the text probably a month after Grandpa died, so the song will always be special to me. The words are very hopeful and inspiring.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight-ripened grain,
I am the gentle morning rain.
And when you wake in the morning’s hush,
I am the sweet uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
2 days in a row...
You should be impressed....this makes two days in a row that I've blogged!! It's currently 1:08am....apparently I can't write at a decent hour. I'm making 3 hour lunches a new trend of mine. Today I had lunch with an old friend from high school. She is a psych major from UNCW...and it's been AT LEAST a year since our last run-in....I honestly can't remember the last time we actually had a conversation at length...ah, tragic! Anyway, it was great! We ate at Monterrey and I arrived at 12:10 (I was supposed to be there at 12:00, but I realize once I got into town that I forgot to put on deodorant before I left the house, so I stopped in the drug store to get some...I needed some to keep in my purse anyway lol!) The whole deodorant thing made me realize how crazy I'm getting. It never fails when I'm nervous about singing somewhere or if things aren't quite going my way and I'm upset, I start forgetting things! When I was about to graduate high school I would leave the house and forget lunch...or I'll forget to call people back...etc. Craziness!! Anyway, back to my friend...it was just great to sit there and catch up on old times...we were in some of the same classes in High School and were able to laugh about so many things that happened :) Our freshman year in college we were a good 7 hours apart, so if we were sitting in a boring class we'd write to each other. Most of our letters back and forth were written on notebook paper...or an occasional card...but anyway, we decided to take up this tradition again. We exchanged new addresses and I do plan to write her, maybe on notebook paper (just to keep up the tradition!) I love this pic of us by the way...It was taken right after graduation practice!
I had a WONDERFUL rehearsal with my cousin Steve tonight. He and his wife Mary just make me laugh! We always have a good time when I go over there. It normally plays out to where we practice for about 20 minutes and the other hour or better is spent talking. It was hot outside today, so I had my big curly hair carelessly twisted and pinned with some of those "hair sticks"...just stick two of them in and my hair stays up. Well anyway, it looked a mess, and we were talking about my recital and what I was wearing, when I mentioned something about having enough time from singing at church that morning to go home and pin my hair back and he was like "yeah, you are going to do something about that aren't you?" We laughed for a long time because it was a funny/mean crack about my hair being so ridiculous today! We decided our relationship has to be love/hate...haha, good times!!
I finally finished my translations with the hateful Microsoft word and columns...thank goodness! Tomorrow I will make the program...that should be a breeze compared to those translations. I have a rehearsal tomorrow night with Carol (my last private rehearsal before the dress rehearsal, ah!)
Ok, so the Golden Girls are on (Again)...and since it's one of my favorite shows, I think I'm going to stop writing to watch for a bit before bed!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Update...
I ALWAYS blog late at night when I'm worried things won't come out right!! I've been working tirelessly on getting my song translations done for my recital. The hard part wasn't translating the songs....the real issue is trying to get a microsoft word document using columns to cooperate. Bah!
Camp meeting is going on. I LOVE camp meeting!! It's like a step back in time...no tvs...we just enjoy each other's company and an occasional milkshake from the shack! Ah, I just can't say enough about my family! The exciting news lately is that my cousin Chad is home from Germany...for longer than his usual 6 week visit. He's going to get his masters from UNC...so he'll be in the same country and same state!!...we'll work on the same town later :)
I should be going to bed, but I need to talk about a lunch date I had today. In past years my cousin Vicki and I have seen each other at reunions (and she actually missed a few years of those because of band trips...), the occasional funeral (unfortunately), and music educators convention..this shows how few and far between our visits are! We've kept in touch via text message and email over the years. We share a love for music (she's a band teacher)...and talking! Today we FINALLY were able to combine our schedules and get together for lunch. I'm pretty sure we talked for a little over 3 hours. You know you get along great with someone if you can keep conversation with no room for awkward silence for 3 hours straight! It was just great! I absolutely think the world of her, and only wish that I could see her more often than a few times a year! She has been so supportive with me and music...and understands me when I talk about the different frustrations that comes with the territory. Anyway, I just had to sing her praises for a bit!
No more typing on voice stuff tonight...I need some time off!! I'm starting to get so nervous!! I'm excited, but I worry about EVERYTHING....I'm always nervous, and always shake, but I don't want people to hear it in my voice....what if my voice cracks, or I forget my words....all of this runs through my overactive mind! I have a rehearsal tomorrow with my cousin Steve (he's playing my closing piece). Then Wednesday I have a rehearsal with Carol (my accompanist), and Saturday I have a dress rehearsal to iron out everything! Sunday I sing at the church service at Rehobeth...a solo and a duet with my friend Travis....then I'll have enough time to pin my hair up, put a dress on, and get there for the real deal!! ah!
Ok, so the Golden Girls are on and they're distracting me so I'm going to close!
Camp meeting is going on. I LOVE camp meeting!! It's like a step back in time...no tvs...we just enjoy each other's company and an occasional milkshake from the shack! Ah, I just can't say enough about my family! The exciting news lately is that my cousin Chad is home from Germany...for longer than his usual 6 week visit. He's going to get his masters from UNC...so he'll be in the same country and same state!!...we'll work on the same town later :)
I should be going to bed, but I need to talk about a lunch date I had today. In past years my cousin Vicki and I have seen each other at reunions (and she actually missed a few years of those because of band trips...), the occasional funeral (unfortunately), and music educators convention..this shows how few and far between our visits are! We've kept in touch via text message and email over the years. We share a love for music (she's a band teacher)...and talking! Today we FINALLY were able to combine our schedules and get together for lunch. I'm pretty sure we talked for a little over 3 hours. You know you get along great with someone if you can keep conversation with no room for awkward silence for 3 hours straight! It was just great! I absolutely think the world of her, and only wish that I could see her more often than a few times a year! She has been so supportive with me and music...and understands me when I talk about the different frustrations that comes with the territory. Anyway, I just had to sing her praises for a bit!
No more typing on voice stuff tonight...I need some time off!! I'm starting to get so nervous!! I'm excited, but I worry about EVERYTHING....I'm always nervous, and always shake, but I don't want people to hear it in my voice....what if my voice cracks, or I forget my words....all of this runs through my overactive mind! I have a rehearsal tomorrow with my cousin Steve (he's playing my closing piece). Then Wednesday I have a rehearsal with Carol (my accompanist), and Saturday I have a dress rehearsal to iron out everything! Sunday I sing at the church service at Rehobeth...a solo and a duet with my friend Travis....then I'll have enough time to pin my hair up, put a dress on, and get there for the real deal!! ah!
Ok, so the Golden Girls are on and they're distracting me so I'm going to close!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Tangles...
I'm sleepy, so I hope this blog makes sense! I went to Boone this past week and did a lot of relaxing...it was nice :) I went on a quest the other night. I ventured to Walmart...which is probably my least favorite place to be on earth. Anyway, I needed some de-tangler spray for my wild hair. It took me forever to find some...and I was already ill because I had fought my way from the back of the store where glade plug-in refills are, to the front where hair products are. For those of you who think Mooresville Walmart is bad, you haven't seen anything until you've walked into the Boone store. First off...it's not a super Walmart, it's small and the grocery section consists of popsicles, cereal and pringles. Let's be real. But since it's a college town, it's ALWAYS crowded and you always run into someone you know. I finally found my detangler....in the kids section. It's Suave for kids, lime green bottle with an octopus on the front of it...I'm classy :)
Well I need to stop and go to bed. I have the second of many dentist appointments tomorrow :(
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Prayer of the Children
Make sure you listen to this song on my playlist!!
Prayer of the Children - by Kurt Bestor
Kurt Bestor was a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the 1970s in Serbia. Later, war broke out in Yugoslavia, and Bestor, who loved the Serbs, Croatians, and Bosnians alike, was deeply troubled by the turmoil.
What came to him--haunted him--were the faces of the children he had known. "Those children didn't hate anybody," he said. "They didn't care about who owned the land, or who had the power or the money. These are adult neuroses. They just wanted to have a mom and dad and a place to play."
Can you hear the prayer of the children on bended knee,
in the shadow of an unknown room?
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry, turning heavenward toward the light.
Cryin' Jesus help meto see the mornin' light of one more day,
but if I should die before I wake,I pray my soul to take.
Can you feel the hearts of the children aching for home,
for something of their very own.
Reaching hands with nothing to hold onto but hope for a better day, a better day.
Cryin' Jesus help meto feel the love again in my own land,
but if unknown roads lead away from home, give me loving arms, 'way from harm.
Can you hear the voice of the children softly pleading for silence in their shattered world?
Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate, blood of the innocent on their hands.
Cryin' Jesus help me to feel the sun again upon my face?
For when darkness clears, I know you're near, bringing peace again.
Dali čǔje te sve dječje molitve?
Can you hear the prayer of the children?
Prayer of the Children - by Kurt Bestor
Kurt Bestor was a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the 1970s in Serbia. Later, war broke out in Yugoslavia, and Bestor, who loved the Serbs, Croatians, and Bosnians alike, was deeply troubled by the turmoil.
What came to him--haunted him--were the faces of the children he had known. "Those children didn't hate anybody," he said. "They didn't care about who owned the land, or who had the power or the money. These are adult neuroses. They just wanted to have a mom and dad and a place to play."
Can you hear the prayer of the children on bended knee,
in the shadow of an unknown room?
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry, turning heavenward toward the light.
Cryin' Jesus help meto see the mornin' light of one more day,
but if I should die before I wake,I pray my soul to take.
Can you feel the hearts of the children aching for home,
for something of their very own.
Reaching hands with nothing to hold onto but hope for a better day, a better day.
Cryin' Jesus help meto feel the love again in my own land,
but if unknown roads lead away from home, give me loving arms, 'way from harm.
Can you hear the voice of the children softly pleading for silence in their shattered world?
Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate, blood of the innocent on their hands.
Cryin' Jesus help me to feel the sun again upon my face?
For when darkness clears, I know you're near, bringing peace again.
Dali čǔje te sve dječje molitve?
Can you hear the prayer of the children?
Monday, July 14, 2008
A Little Slack...
So I've fallen a little slack on my blogs... It's been a busy week! After my birthday, I left Friday and went to Boone until this afternoon.
I'm highly annoyed. I went to the dentist today....which is bad enough (and if you add the fact that the air conditioning was broken and Maria got her teeth picked in the heat....AND was stuck to the chair by the time it was over)....but I didn't get a good report. Since I was a freshman in college I started having TERRIBLE acid reflux. I'm not sure why...but the more I had to sing, the more I've noticed it. Over my college career I have lost my voice 2 different semesters, which basically puts the life of a vocal music major on hold. Anyway, I go to the dentist today for a basic cleaning and find out that my mouth is cluttered with cavities because the acid from my reflux is eating away at my enamel. Also, I have these little lines and such on my teeth (looks like I had braces, but I didn't)..which the dentist says could be from an illness as a child causing my enamel to not form like it's supposed to. He's telling me this after I've been going to him for years....I have this toothpaste that's like $10 a tube, it's supposed to be miracle fluoride...well last year they told me I had some weak spots, and to use this toothpaste to help me with the chronic sensitivity (hot, cold, sweets....they all put me in pain). Well, I used it for like a month last year and I couldn't tell difference in the way my teeth felt, so I kinda let it go. Well I go in there today and get this bad report and was told that the toothpaste was supposed to prevent this from happening. It just looks like if my teeth were in such danger of having this many cavities due to my unfortunate stomach, I would've been told how important this toothpaste would've been and exactly what was at stake. I go back Wednesday for I don't even know how many fillings.....3, 4, 5. This is coming from someone who flosses everyday and brushes like I'm getting paid for it. Ahhh, frustration is setting in as I'm being told that I have a ton of cavities...I've only had maybe 2 or 3 filled the other 21 years of my life. Bah! My mood is no good. My reflux is wearing on me again...stomach is one big ball of fire, voice is suffering. I'm changing the subject....
I'm highly annoyed. I went to the dentist today....which is bad enough (and if you add the fact that the air conditioning was broken and Maria got her teeth picked in the heat....AND was stuck to the chair by the time it was over)....but I didn't get a good report. Since I was a freshman in college I started having TERRIBLE acid reflux. I'm not sure why...but the more I had to sing, the more I've noticed it. Over my college career I have lost my voice 2 different semesters, which basically puts the life of a vocal music major on hold. Anyway, I go to the dentist today for a basic cleaning and find out that my mouth is cluttered with cavities because the acid from my reflux is eating away at my enamel. Also, I have these little lines and such on my teeth (looks like I had braces, but I didn't)..which the dentist says could be from an illness as a child causing my enamel to not form like it's supposed to. He's telling me this after I've been going to him for years....I have this toothpaste that's like $10 a tube, it's supposed to be miracle fluoride...well last year they told me I had some weak spots, and to use this toothpaste to help me with the chronic sensitivity (hot, cold, sweets....they all put me in pain). Well, I used it for like a month last year and I couldn't tell difference in the way my teeth felt, so I kinda let it go. Well I go in there today and get this bad report and was told that the toothpaste was supposed to prevent this from happening. It just looks like if my teeth were in such danger of having this many cavities due to my unfortunate stomach, I would've been told how important this toothpaste would've been and exactly what was at stake. I go back Wednesday for I don't even know how many fillings.....3, 4, 5. This is coming from someone who flosses everyday and brushes like I'm getting paid for it. Ahhh, frustration is setting in as I'm being told that I have a ton of cavities...I've only had maybe 2 or 3 filled the other 21 years of my life. Bah! My mood is no good. My reflux is wearing on me again...stomach is one big ball of fire, voice is suffering. I'm changing the subject....
On my birthday, a terrible lightening storm came.... and lightening actually struck right next to my house and put its mark on a tree in my uncle's yard. Crazy part is...we were finding chunks of the tree ALL OVER the place....it's crazy how far it blew the bark off!! Well I'm super tired from driving home from Boone and fighting cavities today....so I'm going to bed!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
#21
I turned 21 today...and I had a great day :) I went shopping with a friend from this morning into the afternoon, then went to a great Steak dinner @ Lonestar with my Parents and sister....and when I got home some of my family came by to see me! I have to talk about my family for a little bit... A lot of people that I know hardly know their extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins)...and if they do they dread having reunions and gatherings! I have never understood those people. It hit me at a really young age how fortunate I am to have all of these people in my life. I know that if I were to ever need anything, I could pick up the phone and call any one of them and they would be there for me....there's absolutely no doubt in my mind. So I'm trying out this whole slideshow thing...and in making it, I realized how many pictures of people that I DON'T HAVE! I'm going to have to work on that...next family function--everyone had better get their game faces on for some camera action!
I'm sleepy!! More to come later when I have a little more in me!
I'm sleepy!! More to come later when I have a little more in me!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Good Music and Blueberry Pancakes!
I practiced for my recital today. My accompanist is Carol Graham...and she's absolutely amazing! I couldn't ask for anyone better! Her friendly spirit always puts me at ease and her talent on the piano is incredible. Sometimes I dread rehearsals, just because I have to sing and work on music SO MUCH....but I've always looked forward to working with her. Anyway, I'm excited about the recital, but already getting butterflies. Most people don't realize how much preparation goes into planning and performing these things! It's not like we can hide behind anyone either, singing is what we do, and we are just THERE...in front of everyone....showing everything that we work for and that's important to us, while fighting nerves and knowing, we get that one chance, note by note...phrase by phrase, song by song to show everything. Sounds crazy and dramatic, but it's true....I sing with everything in me and only hope that it strikes some one's "fancy."
I went to dinner tonight with an old friend. I met her when I was 17 and in High School working at Pier One Imports. She was new to the area and in between jobs, so she was just working at
Pier One until she found something new and "real." We used to joke because at the time she was 34 and I could say "haha, I'm half of your age!"....anyway, we became wonderful friends...and she's almost like a "big sister"......I just know that I can't go too long without talking to her and when I'm at home on breaks, we make it our plans to go to Cracker Barrel, save the world, and have blueberry pancakes. That's always what we did when I was in High School and not much has changed! It's amazing that you can go your entire life not knowing someone....meet them....and they become so important to you that you never knew how you got along without them!
Ok, guess I'm going to close. We rented the old Disney movie Anastasia.....I love Disney movies!...or really any cartoon :) Guess I'll never REALLY grow up!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
A Watched Pot Never Boils...
I'm sitting here waiting on some WONDERFUL wheat pasta to boil so I can add my minced garlic, cheese and peppers....I serve this with chicken I have marinated in roasted red pepper and Parmesan dressing...whoo!!
I went to Boone today to let the cable guy in. It didn't take long, but believe me...anything and everything that could go wrong...DID. The icing on top of the cake was while I was standing in a line a mile long at the grocery store, the cashier had an issue ringing up TWO BANANAS that the lady in front of us had. I almost cracked up because at this point I was about in shock that everything that my mom and I had attempted today had in some way become more than difficult. Well, while we were waiting, and about to crack up, I hear the man standing behind me mutter under his breath "God hates me".....I figured he was joking, but I didn't turn around to see. Later while Mom was trying to pay out, I got a good look at him. It's a good thing that I didn't turn around to smile at his tragic comment, because the look on his face was priceless. It was OBVIOUS he was terribly irritated at the wait, and to top it all off, all he had to pay for was a little bag of Ore Ida frozen french fries. Well when I saw his "Oh so pleasant demeanor" matched with the precious look on his face, I started laughing. I ended up just walking out to wait for Mom....the whole time she knew I had walked off because I had gotten a little too tickled to be in the midst of all of those people.
Ah, well timers are going off, so I have to finish dinner! More later :)
Friday, July 4, 2008
Getting Started...
First of all I want to start by saying that my blog is dedicated to my cousin Melissa :) She's been on me for a long time to start one!! It's the 4th of July and I'm currently fighting sleep while I'm typing this. It turned off a bit rainy after a long day of fun on the lake, so I'm inside now creating this blog! I have always looked forward to the 4th of July because I just love spending time with our family!! The cookout, the lake time, the wonderful people and the fireworks are just wonderful! So something funny- I'm terrified of Sparklers! Those dumb little fiery sticks make me want to run and hide. They always made me nervous as a child, but I still wanted them and wanted to play with them until I got a hold of one that the sparks started popping the skin on my hands! I don't know, children, or adults for that matter, waving fiery sticks around like crazy has never struck me as a good time or a smart idea!
I see the sun trying to peek through, so I'm going to end this and get to dinner and more festivities :)
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