Mom-isms

Today would have been my Mom's 58th birthday. As a tribute, I thought I would share some of the Mom-isms that Wendy and I experienced while growing up. Many of these, I still hear from my Grandma.

"Poise, Poise, Poise" - This statement was often yelled while we laughed uncontrollably, or rather, wheezed.

"Burney, Burney" - Used to signify a hot oven. What it means: DON'T TOUCH!

The next one is somewhat like a knock knock joke. Mom would say, "You know what they say about that...?"

We would answer, "No, what?"

The answer - "Well I don't know, but they say it." Nice, eh?


It makes me smile to think of these things. At the same time, I'm sad as she isn't here to experience things that Wendy and her family and that I do. I know that she's with me all the time and that she was with me in New York at Carnegie Hall (probably thinking, "How LONG is this song?!)

Right after she passed away, a friend of mine found out and put her death into these terms: Her soul got too big for her body and needed a bigger place to fly. I don't think I can put it any better.

Happy Birthday Mom! You're timeless!

DUH

Ok, please excuse the fact that I cannot add. I walked 15 miles (3 miles x 5 days).

I think it must be the fatigue.

:)

Cheers!

Miracle on Kansas Avenue....

Hello Friends

Yes, I know it has been a long time since I posted. There is something to say for not feeling like writing. This past week I think I refound my voice. (And I think I made up a word, refound.)

In case you don't know, Wendy and I decided last year, right after Christmas, that we are going to run/jog a road race at the end of the year. We have this parade right after Thanksgiving, to kick off the Christmas season, called the Miracle on Kansas Avenue parade. Prior to the race, there's a 4-mile run/walk, that you only get an hour to do.

Thus we have begun training. I started a little bit while Wendy was pregnant, but she couldn't do as much intensity, so now that Mavvie arrived, we are both on a mission.

Daily, we walk a 3-mile walk. This is not a leisurely "day in the park" walk. This is a Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" walk. On days when you're tired, it's a 45 minute walk of hell. It's a 45 minute DVD you can do in your house. My ultimate goal is to walk 3 miles, 7 days a week. This past week I had to take one day off, as my body was rebelling and achy. I did find out from a friend that if you drink a whey protein shake or eat a protein bar after a workout, it aids in muscle healing.

I'm pretty proud to say that this past week (counting today), I walked 5 out of 7 days and have racked up 12 miles thus far. So my goal for this coming week, starting Sunday 5/24 will be to walk 3 miles every day.

I'm also working on some strength training with a resistance band, weights, and some ab work. I can already feel a difference in how my clothing is fitting.

And so, dear friends, I must bid you adieu for today.

Get your walk on!

After the long wait.....

She's here. Mavvie made her debut today at 1:19pm. It was not exactly an easy birth, like we all thought.

After being delayed for almost an hour, Wendy went into the delivery room, totally ready. Tonight she told me that the anesthesiologist felt horrible because it took several times before they finally got the spinal block in. So, we're ready to go, right?

Wrong.

The spinal did not take. Wendy had to be put out for the delivery. Evidently David watched the whole thing and didn't faint. Good job, David!

Here are her stats: 8 lbs 7 oz. 20.75" long. Brown hair. Cute.

I just got home a little bit ago from the hospital. I have several pictures to share!

There will be more, of course, but here's what I got tonight!

Brought to you by the letter O

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....

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

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.