Because I'm 34 and succumbing to peer pressure, I'm going to favor Wendy and post a blog similar to hers, only my letter is O.
This post will be filled with things that I think are great....AND they all begin with the letter O.
Oranges - Winter brings the best navel oranges. MMMMMMMMMM
Optical Illusions - Yeah, I'm a brain who likes these things.
Owls - Hoot Hoot!
Orange Liqueur - A pleasure in cocoa, coffee and cosmopolitans.
October - one of my favorite months of the year
Oboe - one of my favorite woodwind instruments
Odd - someone once called me this
Opera - one of my favorite types of music
Orchid - a lovely flower
Opportunity - something we shouldn't pass up
Olive Oil - a great ingredient to cook with
Orchards - a great place to go for apples, cider, pumpkins, etc.
So go ahead, I dare you. Start your own blog with your own letter....
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Carnegie Hall
Well friends, I have now returned home from NYC and am sitting down to write the last blog of the New York series. Monday was the concert day, so we were free in the morning. I went to Macy's with some people from my group and it was great! The building had 9 floors in it and I was on every one of them! I had breakfast at the McDonalds on the 6th floor and then perused each of the other floors. Talk about overwhelming!
After Macy's, we went to the Empire State Building. This is a huge deal for me because I have a huge fear of heights. I toughed it out and I made it to the top, where it wasn't nearly as frightening as I had thought it would be. Here is a pic of me on the top of the building. See, I don't look scared. (Not outwardly, anyway.)
We then rode the subway back to the hotel to get ready for our rehearsal with the orchestra at 2:30. We rode the bus all together to Carnegie and hustled to get our picture taken as a group, which is also shown below. The rehearsal went well and we finished right on time. I had dinner with some of my fellow choristers at a local pizza place. It was fantastic!
We hung out for a while, hit the Carnegie Hall gift shop, where I got a Mozart Action Figure. Yes, I really did. He sits on my desk at work. Then it came time to warm up and get in line. It takes some time to get 280 people in order, in case you were wondering.
We filed out onto the stage to see a full house. Then the orchestra came in, followed by the soloists and our conductor, Dirk Garner. I must say, I think he's probably the best conductor I have ever worked with. I hope to work with him again sometime.
The concert began and here is where words fail me. I cannot tell you or begin to explain how much emotion we all were feeling up there and how focused everyone was. We got through the last movement and he cut us off and I don't think anyone breathed for about 10 seconds. We were all looking at him expectantly, praying silently for that approval that we had performed to his liking. He paused, put his hands down and one onto his chest and smiled the biggest smile. I think the whole choir nearly cried at that moment. Even he was a little teary. I think, as a singer, that was my proudest moment ever.
After the concert, I saw my family and then hopped BACK on the bus to go on a 3 hour boat cruise with the other performers around the harbor. We ate, danced and socialized with the other choirs and even our conductor. We all had a great time.
Sadly, we had to leave the next day. I am already excited to think about going back to NY to visit longer, do more things.
Thanks for hanging out with me in NY! I'll be posting again soon!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday
Today I started out just like yesterday - a 3.5 hour rehearsal in the morning. I did locate a Starbucks very close and had coffee and a donut prior to the rehearsal, which was good. The rehearsal was fantastic. The amount of sound 280 people can generate is amazing to me. This is really going to be a great concert.
After rehearsal, I did some shopping for Brian, Wendy and her family and my Dad and Susan. While on my shopping trek, I was asked for directions by someone on the street. I think I must have had that, "don't mess with me" look on my face and the walk with a purpose stride. Who knows.
After the trek, I had some lunch, then rested for a bit. My family called me and we set up plans to meet and go on the Staten Island Ferry. My cousin Kyle, who lives here in NYC got on the phone and gave me subway directions. I did ride the subway by myself and was completely fine with that. Kyle and his girlfriend Christina were waiting for me at the top of the subway when I arrived and we stepped out into the snowy weather. I had no idea it was snowing.
We got to the ferry and the rest of the family was there. There was a tiny bit of drama at the port. An elderly gentleman "evacuated" his bladder on another gentleman's coat. An unfortunate event, that my aunt steered us all away from. The boat arrived and we all jumped on. I will say that it was rather cold standing outside, getting a look at the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline. It was really funny though because my family doesn't do anything half way. When we get together, it's either 100 degrees or it's 100 below. We are the only people that would stand out in what one New Yorker called a "snowstorm" (oh please) to get a photo of the skyline at night.
Once we returned, we went to a vegan restaurant. My cousin and his girlfriend recommended the restaurant. I had a roasted vegetable salad. It was great. Then we took a bus back to Union Square where I got on the subway.
Regarding subways: It is an art standing there and not falling down when you're either lurching forward to go or coming to a halt. Try it sometime, you'll see what I mean.
Tomorrow is the concert. I am both ready and excited for this. I did find out I think we're going to have a recording, so it'll be great.
After rehearsal, I did some shopping for Brian, Wendy and her family and my Dad and Susan. While on my shopping trek, I was asked for directions by someone on the street. I think I must have had that, "don't mess with me" look on my face and the walk with a purpose stride. Who knows.
After the trek, I had some lunch, then rested for a bit. My family called me and we set up plans to meet and go on the Staten Island Ferry. My cousin Kyle, who lives here in NYC got on the phone and gave me subway directions. I did ride the subway by myself and was completely fine with that. Kyle and his girlfriend Christina were waiting for me at the top of the subway when I arrived and we stepped out into the snowy weather. I had no idea it was snowing.
We got to the ferry and the rest of the family was there. There was a tiny bit of drama at the port. An elderly gentleman "evacuated" his bladder on another gentleman's coat. An unfortunate event, that my aunt steered us all away from. The boat arrived and we all jumped on. I will say that it was rather cold standing outside, getting a look at the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline. It was really funny though because my family doesn't do anything half way. When we get together, it's either 100 degrees or it's 100 below. We are the only people that would stand out in what one New Yorker called a "snowstorm" (oh please) to get a photo of the skyline at night.
Once we returned, we went to a vegan restaurant. My cousin and his girlfriend recommended the restaurant. I had a roasted vegetable salad. It was great. Then we took a bus back to Union Square where I got on the subway.
Regarding subways: It is an art standing there and not falling down when you're either lurching forward to go or coming to a halt. Try it sometime, you'll see what I mean.
Tomorrow is the concert. I am both ready and excited for this. I did find out I think we're going to have a recording, so it'll be great.
More on Saturday....
So my family called me and we decided that we were going to hook up and have dinner. In order to do this, some of them were going to come and pick me up at my hotel and then we'd go back and pick up my Grandma, then go have some dinner. When they walked into the lobby at the Hyatt, the comments started rolling in like, "Oh, this is where the 'stars' stay at...." I laughed of course, then we were on our merry way.
We took the subway (my first trip on it) back to their hotel, which is a very nice Hooliday Inn. When we walked in, I jokingly said, "Where's the fountain?" We all laughed when my uncle said, "We'll turn on the faucet."
We ate dinner at Mustang Sally's and it was great. We even got 10% off our tickets just because of me singing at Carnegie. After dinner, we made plans for Sunday, then I cabbed it back to the Hyatt.
We took the subway (my first trip on it) back to their hotel, which is a very nice Hooliday Inn. When we walked in, I jokingly said, "Where's the fountain?" We all laughed when my uncle said, "We'll turn on the faucet."
We ate dinner at Mustang Sally's and it was great. We even got 10% off our tickets just because of me singing at Carnegie. After dinner, we made plans for Sunday, then I cabbed it back to the Hyatt.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Saturday.....
Today was our first rehearsal en masse. I was mistaken in the number of total singers that I thought were going to be performing. I had heard around 200. The actual number is 280. The sound that is produced is really intense and amazing. I really wish every one of you could come and see the concert just for the sheer sound of it all.
Our rehearsal lasted three and a half hours. Needless to say, I'm rather vocally tired. Our director is really wonderful. I feel so lucky to be working with him. I did find out that he works at a Conservatory outside of Cleveland, Ohio, so that's pretty cool too.
After the rehearsal, I met up with some friends who live in New Jersey. We had lunch at 2nd Ave. Deli. It was truly a "real" deli, complete with screaming waiters, delivery boys and customers. The ambience was worth it. The food was also great - complete with chicken noodle soup with homemade broth. Try it, if you are ever here and have the time.
One thing that did shock me just a little bit, though I didn't show it, was that when we walked out of the deli towards Lexington Avenue, we did get asked on the street if we wanted to buy some drugs. That's the first time and I hope the last time THAT ever happens.
I came back to the hotel then and relaxed for a while, before going down in to Grand Central Station for some starbucks and some dried fruit for breakfast tomorrow. Now I'm just hanging out in the lobby, waiting to hear from my family who are coming in from various parts of the country.
Stay tuned...
Our rehearsal lasted three and a half hours. Needless to say, I'm rather vocally tired. Our director is really wonderful. I feel so lucky to be working with him. I did find out that he works at a Conservatory outside of Cleveland, Ohio, so that's pretty cool too.
After the rehearsal, I met up with some friends who live in New Jersey. We had lunch at 2nd Ave. Deli. It was truly a "real" deli, complete with screaming waiters, delivery boys and customers. The ambience was worth it. The food was also great - complete with chicken noodle soup with homemade broth. Try it, if you are ever here and have the time.
One thing that did shock me just a little bit, though I didn't show it, was that when we walked out of the deli towards Lexington Avenue, we did get asked on the street if we wanted to buy some drugs. That's the first time and I hope the last time THAT ever happens.
I came back to the hotel then and relaxed for a while, before going down in to Grand Central Station for some starbucks and some dried fruit for breakfast tomorrow. Now I'm just hanging out in the lobby, waiting to hear from my family who are coming in from various parts of the country.
Stay tuned...
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Grand Hyatt
We arrived in New York with no problems on the flight. At one point, we were in a "holding pattern" for about 15 minutes, then we got released to travel the rest of the way to NYC.
In case you didn't know, the weather here is much like Kansas when we left - really really cold. We waited outside at the Newark airport for our bus to pick us up to take us to the hotel - The Grand Hyatt. Some people waited inside. I, myself, did NOT.
We got on the bus. Let me tell you I think I made a mistake sitting in the front seat. I sat beside our Director and pretty much had white knuckles the entire rest of the trip to the hotel. This trip took an hour. I've never seen so many cars trying to go from like 8 lanes to 3 in about 1000 feet. Crazy.
I had dinner this evening at Grand Central Station with some of my choir people. My family comes in tomorrow and rehearsals start bright and early. 9am-12:30pm.
More later!
In case you didn't know, the weather here is much like Kansas when we left - really really cold. We waited outside at the Newark airport for our bus to pick us up to take us to the hotel - The Grand Hyatt. Some people waited inside. I, myself, did NOT.
We got on the bus. Let me tell you I think I made a mistake sitting in the front seat. I sat beside our Director and pretty much had white knuckles the entire rest of the trip to the hotel. This trip took an hour. I've never seen so many cars trying to go from like 8 lanes to 3 in about 1000 feet. Crazy.
I had dinner this evening at Grand Central Station with some of my choir people. My family comes in tomorrow and rehearsals start bright and early. 9am-12:30pm.
More later!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I'm in a New York state of mind....
Well, it's finally here. What I have been patiently waiting for since July has finally arrived. Tomorrow I leave for New York.!!!
Last night we had our final rehearsal. It was chaos, as you can imagine. 20 adults sitting in a room talking (all of us) at one time regarding activities and tours, etc. that we want to do while we are in NY. Finally, after 15 minutes of this dull roar, we began rehearsing.
About halfway through, we stopped for a break and the talking began again. There were lists of airline seat assignments, cell phone numbers, and activity spreadsheets being passed around, amongst other things. You can imagine what this was like.
We got back into the piece, to finish the second half and then I finally looked at the clock. Only an hour had passed. I swear I thought it had been an hour and a half, at least.
It's going to be an interesting thing singing with 200 other people, compared to my 20 with a recording. And while I love this piece, I'm ready for live accompaniment.
I'm notoriously a non-list person. For this trip, though, I've had to make constant lists in my head, then write them down. I think I'm packing one little bag of power cords for my phone, iPod, camera and laptop. It's a bit sad to me that I will have part of my luggage for power cords. But we are in the 2000's and one must keep up with technology.
Tonight, I'll probably be up late and for one time, I don't care. I can sleep on the plane tomorrow. My goal, while in NY, is to post a blog every day (probably at the end of the day).
So stay tuned – New York here I come!
Last night we had our final rehearsal. It was chaos, as you can imagine. 20 adults sitting in a room talking (all of us) at one time regarding activities and tours, etc. that we want to do while we are in NY. Finally, after 15 minutes of this dull roar, we began rehearsing.
About halfway through, we stopped for a break and the talking began again. There were lists of airline seat assignments, cell phone numbers, and activity spreadsheets being passed around, amongst other things. You can imagine what this was like.
We got back into the piece, to finish the second half and then I finally looked at the clock. Only an hour had passed. I swear I thought it had been an hour and a half, at least.
It's going to be an interesting thing singing with 200 other people, compared to my 20 with a recording. And while I love this piece, I'm ready for live accompaniment.
I'm notoriously a non-list person. For this trip, though, I've had to make constant lists in my head, then write them down. I think I'm packing one little bag of power cords for my phone, iPod, camera and laptop. It's a bit sad to me that I will have part of my luggage for power cords. But we are in the 2000's and one must keep up with technology.
Tonight, I'll probably be up late and for one time, I don't care. I can sleep on the plane tomorrow. My goal, while in NY, is to post a blog every day (probably at the end of the day).
So stay tuned – New York here I come!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Dance Revolution
For Christmas this year, Brian purchased me the Dance Revolution game for my Nintendo Wii. Yes, it's that game at the mall that the music carries all over and a crowd of people stand around and watch one person dance on this special "mat" in order to score the highest points. Prior to Christmas, I believed that this was ridiculous and couldn't really understand how anyone could find it entertaining to 1. Do this activity, or 2. Watch someone else do it.
My opinion has since changed. After watching Brian do it on Christmas Eve prior to going to church and partaking in it on New Years Eve, I have a new found feeling for the Dance Revolution Game: humility.
It has a "workout" setting that I was eager to try. So yesterday, I got home from work, changed clothes and set the game for a 30 minute workout. You may think you have coordination and all will be fine - you are wrong. At one point, the game started booing. Fortunately, I was able to pull myself out of the depths and get a "C" on that dance. For 30 minutes I did this.
This morning I woke up and immediately wished I had an ejector button for the bed. I realized rather quickly that I should have stretched after dancing. A lesson I learned this morning.
Anyway, I plan on going home and doing it again. I'll have my cell phone in case I need to call someone tomorrow morning as well.
Happy Exercising!
My opinion has since changed. After watching Brian do it on Christmas Eve prior to going to church and partaking in it on New Years Eve, I have a new found feeling for the Dance Revolution Game: humility.
It has a "workout" setting that I was eager to try. So yesterday, I got home from work, changed clothes and set the game for a 30 minute workout. You may think you have coordination and all will be fine - you are wrong. At one point, the game started booing. Fortunately, I was able to pull myself out of the depths and get a "C" on that dance. For 30 minutes I did this.
This morning I woke up and immediately wished I had an ejector button for the bed. I realized rather quickly that I should have stretched after dancing. A lesson I learned this morning.
Anyway, I plan on going home and doing it again. I'll have my cell phone in case I need to call someone tomorrow morning as well.
Happy Exercising!
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