The Beginning - Day One

It's been a while since I've posted, and I'm sure that by now, most of us have so much on our plates that we don't usually check our blogs (at least me anyways). But I decided that I need to do better. So -- to catch everyone up to speed, here I go.

It's day one, on what will seem like a very long journey for the last long hall of school. I have 4 straight semesters left until I graduate (Fall 09, Winter 10, Spring 10, Fall 10). I am currently trying to find a job that is more local and more time convenience for me to travel to then going down to Idaho Falls everyday and back up. But I'm grateful for the job that I do have at the moment, despite complications, and other little details. I am still at the same address, so if you wish to send me a love note, I will not be offended :). I am living with 5 other girls, one of which has been my roommate for quite some time now, and we usually go and play rugby together. Yes, that's right. I came away to college to become a lady, get an education, meet new people.... and find one of my new loves, rugby. It's a little strange, but I have to admit, I've never had so much fun getting tackled and the adrenaline rush.

I am still a music major. And I am currently working with my voice teacher to get myself ready for my senior recital. Which is coming up this next June/July 2010. As well as a possible Metropolitan Opera Competition in Salt Lake. We'll see how that goes.

But for the moment, I'm still alive, a little tired already, but things are good. I have an amazing family and group of friends who help me through each day! Lots of love to everyone and anyone!

The Beautiful Game -- Rugby

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Long Overdue Update

'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello!!

I officially suck at communication during the summer. But who doesn't right?
I am living in Rexburg, ID year round now, and am working at Express Employment Professionals in Idaho Falls, ID. I love my employer, and somedays my job. I mostly help other people try and find a job in the economy right now. It has it's up and downs, but I'm definately learning alot right now.

It's been fun being in a town full of people my own age, having people and things to do, and fun stories to retell, laugh at and then forget to tell everyone else.

I'm taking voice lessons this summer from Kristine Ciesinski, and LOVING IT! She is helping me find all of my flaws in my voice and trying to help me learn to do it right so that way I'm "Hot Stuff" when I go to audition. But I have another year, so I'm no too worried.
But life is good -- -- there will be a few more updates in a few. Pictures, stories, and hopefully.... I will see you most in a month!

This last week I was able to sing for one of my classes that is assosiated to my voice lessons (it's called masterclass). And it's common to usually sing 1-2 times a semester, but for some reason this semester, I haven't been able to sing for my class, so I was scheduled to sing this last Monday, March 30. But the interesting thing is that my voice teacher, Gina, got hold of me the weekend before Monday, and asked me if I wanted to sing for a guest singer who would be performing at the college later that same week. The guest singer is my opera scenes teacher, Kristine Ciesinski, her sister - Katherina Ciesinski. I couldn't believe it!! I was going to sing for a world renowned opera singer, and one of the top opera/voice teachers at Eastman School of Music in Rodchester, NY. I about passed out from excitement. http://www.esm.rochester.edu/faculty/ciesinski_katherine
So Monday came, and I was more nervous then ever. Cause not only was I singing for Katherine, but also the class was for the entire voice department to come and listen to! Holy Cow! But I "sucked it up" and sang "Elle a Fui" from Tales of Hoffman by Offenbach. And it was an amazing experience -- and I realized that, once again, that I love to sing. I don't necessariliy like getting all the 'oohs and aahs', but I do like to be recognized as a good singer. And to have Kristine & Katherine both compliment me on my singing -- that was a HUGE self-esteem boost!

I realized this week that I haven't really told anyone a "big secret" that I had told mom and dad. And I kind of assumed that they would tell everyone else, but maybe not. But I am in actuality staying Rexburg, ID for the summer (or at least until July), and am working here instead of traveling and staying back in CA. It is more expensive, but it'll be worth it. I have a lot of friends here, there is actually hope for me having a social life and dating (yes, I am still single and proud of it), and I get to sing!! The school is putting on two little operas this summer, and I'm 'stoked' about auditioning and trying to get in.

So the news is out, I'm not sure what is all in store for me, and I'm not sure what my plans are once my housing contract is up in July, but that is another day, another worry. I love ya, and hope that you are staying warm, cuz Rexburg is having bipolar weather and is sunny for a few minutes that blizzard the next!

Opera Scenes Winter 2009

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Alright - - it's about that time again, and I know that most of you will not be able, and just can't make up, but I thought that I'd send this out anyways.

BYU - IDAHO OPERA SCENES

Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 5:45

Barrus Concert Hall

(located in the Snow Building)

Life if going pretty good other then that - dispite the stupid cold/flu bug that I unfortunately caught. But I'm working my best to get better before this next week. :)

My roommates(Darcie & Carly) and I had a little too much fun with "Lactos Free" Whip Cream. But it was all in name of celebrating Carly's Birthday - - and being crazy college students.

And later, her mission call. The crazy life of a college student!

Official Announcement

OK!!! I know that this announcement has been long overdue, but -- here it goes

I'M OFFICALLY A VOCAL PERFORMANCE MAJOR!!!

(I know, not exactly the news that you wanted to get, but I'd at least have the common sense to call you about that kind of news).

But seriously, I offically switched from being a BA in music to preformance today! It's taken me a little while to get everything together, and finally decide what I wanted to do with my education. And I realized, what kind of mother, sister, friend or teacher would tell others to go fight their own dreams, or teach about being a singer, or writer, or anything for that matter, if I didn't find out for myself what I really wanted from life??? And it didn't help that I had a little nudging from my voice teacher these last three years.

So -- -- what is now in store for me?? I am in the opera scenes once again this semester for one. But, and this is only temperary, but I think that I am going to be teaching beginners/intermediate voice lesson this summer. Mom, Dad, Joe and some other people have really made me start thinking about this. I love singing, and I definately need the practice teaching. But it would be fun for me, and give other's a chance to learn a little and get some good advice and encouragement.

SO -- if you know of anyone in Santa Cruz County area that would like voice lessons this summer. . . I'm glad to be of servious (for more details, stay posted and check in with me after I checkin with myself).

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I forgot to do "show and tell"

The drawing is a picture from the exhibit that Mom, Dad and myself went and saw in San Jose, "Da Vinci: 500 years into the Future". It was amazing to see how much of his ideas, and thoughts were actually used and handed down up til today. He truely was a genious.

The picture of me with "Shirley Temple" curls, was Mom's and Mine experiment with soft curlers. . . and I honestly really like them!

The other picture is a creation of one of my roommates, Carly Call and I, just being goofs.

"On My Mark; Three, Two, One. . . GO!"

Winter Semester for BYU-Idaho has been up and running since January 7th. So, I'm going on my 3-4th week up at school. And today was finally the first day that Rexburg is starting to look like it is winter. We've had some of the hottest weather that Rexburg has seen in a few years. But no complaints about the weather from here - I enjoy the warmth!

But this semester, I'm kind of taking it easy. Or at least as much as I can as a music major supporting myself during school. But this semester I am taking:
-British Lit (Neoclassicism/Romantic)
-Intro Family History
-Women's Health
-Diction for Singers II
-Ballet
-Voice Lessons III
-Opera Scenes

It's kind of a heavy load, but I'm enjoying my classes. Especially women's health and my family history class. I'm learning a lot and getting motivated.

But there is a return missionary who is going to school here that served his mission back at home in Santa Cruz. So it's fun running into him, and getting to know the other side of him.
But my life is pretty simple, a little drama here and there, and it is getting colder. But what else is college life for then if not for the everyday "challenges"?