To all of my university collegues, enjoy your reading week! Yes, it is that time where some of us take off to warmer climates, recover from our first six weeks of second semester and for some of us study and/or write papers that are due when we get back. Ahhh, reading week.

My reading week had started earlier than I expected with a cold/virus of some kind that I am finding hard to shake off. It has been making me frustrated as I see that I am falling behind in some of my courses but I can't help it if my throat/vocal chords do not want to cooperate.

It looks like my computer needs a rest too as the battery is getting low. Time to charge up the computer and my body.

Till next time.

The Erlking

I am taking a study breather from my History Rep. Log and I am finding the pieces of music that I am analyzing fascinating. I know I am a nerd! I have listened to the Erlking over a dozen times, finding that each time I listen to it I love this song that Schubert composed. (Fischer-Dieskau sings it beautifully and Brian Werhle comes in a close second!)

It is fascinating to me our connection, or wanted connection, to the supernatural. (Fascinating is my favorite word this evening.) Most of the poetry and folklore from the Romantic period is based on the supernatural - our fascination and fear of it. Instead to reading the "Disney" version of fairytales read the original fairytales. Now they can give you nightmares!

Well, I should continue on in my studies and finish this quick break. Just had to let my thoughts out there.

Have a great night!

Over the Waves

Ah technology - a blessing and a curse. I love the fact that I am here typing out my thoughts for you to view and talking to my brother on Messenger at the same time. I am so glad that we can talk, he is an awesome guy and with the amount of travelling he does for work it is hard to connect.

See there is the blessing. I can communicate with people near and far by the click of a few buttons. The curse...it limits the one on one, face to face connection. The tone of one's voice can radically change the meaning of one's sentence. Now there is something to think about.

Rests and silence

I am here at Starbucks with my good friend Joel. We are both typing away on our computers in silence, except for the clicking of keys. No words being said to one another but still knowing that we are enjoying one another's company. Why is this so? People may observe us and think that we are just sharing a table together by the only electrical outlet, or that we are a couple totally preoccupied with ourselves and not each other. It is interesting to be able to have friendships (and even relationships) were you can be in one another's company and not have to be talking to each other to enjoy one another.

We live in a world where there is constant "noise". Take for instance the coffee shop we are at; there is music playing in the background. Have you ever been to a coffee shop where there is no music playing? I have and at first it was hard to get used to but after a few moments it was pleasing to not have the background "noise" invoking my thoughts. When you drive your car do you automatically turn on the radio or cd player? Have you ever driven in "silence"? I have had this privelege lately as my stereo was stolen. It was odd at first but it has given me the option to do something more productive like praying. Yes, pray. (Don't worry I don't bow my head and close my eyes when I pray and drive. )

Why are we afraid of silence? Maybe it is because we can not control "it" or what may occupy our mind when silence abounds. Think about it, are you able to sit with your friend, partner, spouse in silence and not panic. If you can kudos to you. It took me a long time to "learn" how to do this. So, here I am with my friend knowing that everything is fine between us, even the silence between us.

Take some time to breathe

Life can be so overwhelming that we forget to breathe. Breath support/control is central to singing and producing a beautiful tone and color of the voice. Without proper breath support you are not able to carry a phrase to the end, without taking time to "breathe" in our life will make us feel overwhelmed ...

So what does this "breathing" look like? Maybe it is taking time to be by yourself, to meditate, or simply just to take a big breath and exhale.

Opening Night

It is great to take some time to relax in the midst of all of our "busyness". I am presently at my "study" Starbucks enjoying my addiction of a grande, toffeenut, soy, caramel macchiato with a biscotti. (chocolate hazelnut to be exact) This past weekend our faculty had their annual Opera Workshop performance plus I have had two Elijah rehearsals squeezed into this busy weekend. It is so nice to come here to reflect, catch up on emails and to study. Yes, I actually do enjoy studying.

My role in the Opera Workshop was Ms. Bentson in the opera Lakme. It was fun to portray a stuffy, English governess. I am enjoying the majority of roles that mezzo-sopranos sing. Our roles usually consist of "britches, bitches and witches". What I mean by britches is that we sing roles of young boys or (male) roles that were originally for castrati. The last known castrato was in the 1920s. There are countertenors in this world but not very many.

My last thought to share with you tonight is this, find out what your passion is and pursue it with all that you have! A friend of mine once remarked that he enjoyed talking to me about music and my pursuit of an operatic career. He said my face, especially my eyes, would light up and no matter what life was throwing my way, my passion for music would lift me higher than my troubles. It is what keeps me going.

I wish the same for all of you.

Starting Over

I have finished my first week of second semester classes and I must admit it was a difficult week. The return of a routine after a few weeks of non-commital time; having to organize and re-prioritize priorities and unfortuanately people in your life had brought times of unbearable stress and tears. Starting over is hard. It can send us into fits of anxiousness because of the unknown that it brings. For those of us who have a hard time with change this can be extremely challenging. The hope is though that it will also bring new opportunities into our lives and that is something to hold on to.

So Here I Go

My hands are quivering as I start this entry. What do I write? You want to be profound and give off the vibe that you are intelligent. I have read some of my friend's blogs and panic as I see insightful quotes. I think "Wow, that would take me hours to think of that!"

So here I go. I thought that maybe I would share with you insight from the Dalai Lama. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

I am not by nature a risk taker. In fact I hate it! Put myself out on the line, be exposed! Yikes!!! This past year though I found out that his words bring truth. Going back to school was a huge risk, especially being ten years older than most of my classmates. I am now seeing though the fruits of taking this risk. Opportunities are opening up for me and the future looks bright.

Great risk & great love....I will have to get back to you on that one.

Ahhh! What Am I Doing?

Good afternoon. You will have to excuse me because I am new to this whole blog concept. I actually stumbled onto this by accident.

Hopefully I will be able to entertain and lift your spirits through my babblings on this blog. I know that I will be pathetic at updating it but hey discipline is a good character trait that I would like to improve upon.

Have good day and next time maybe I will have something meaningful to say.

J9