Dora and Eddie's wedding

Having to get up at 6:30am and then drive 2 hours to San Diego, we still managed to miss part of the ceremony. Overall, it was a nice wedding, great location and pretty good food. Also met Terence and Rachel again. The song went well, after some last minute finagling I was able to wrangle myself an accompanist rather than using the dreaded midi file. So all in all it was a good day. On our way back Eric stopped by his old Panda store and chatted with old coworkers, and we went to the outlets at Carlsbad. I didn't buy anything, Eric, however, returned with his arms full. Now I'm utterly exhausted.

That's me in the background while the newlyweds are dancing 

Rachel and Terence 

With the happy couple 

SF pictures

Exploratorium 

alcatraz 

Eric, myself, Deb and Ugur 

On the ferry to Alcatraz 

With Michele at Ferry Building 

Cooking etc

My new busy schedule has but a damper on my abilty to cook as often as I would like. And since I like to eat at home (at least on the weekdays) for health and financial reasons, I've had to resort to a little creativity recently. Mostly it involves makes things before hand as much as possible so I can just come home at 10pm or later and just eat. Also I'm finally starting to use my crock pot. Made a pot roast the other day, and really, its not half bad! Just pop it in the morning and when I come home--voila! Tonight I made Bah Ku Teh and sir friend veggies for tomorrow night. Next week I will attempt chili!

Kathleen is thinking about changing the Canyon House performance to late july. It would really give me the extra time to learn all the music well. I'm still struggling a little, but I had also been very busy. But thankfully last week is over and the coming one will ease up a little. The master class with Daniel Faltus was really good. It was the first time I was in a master class, and he was very helpful in making me think about Beth's character and what she is really feeling when she sings on her deathbed. And Dora's wedding is this week, and the voice competition. Yikes, and I thought things were going to get better.

Hell Week

Monday: Rehearsal for Canyon House workshop, Pagliacchi music rehearal
Tuesday: Choir rehearsal
Wednesday: Piano class
Thursday: Voice lesson, Haydn rehearsal
Friday: voice class
Saturday: Haydn dress rehearsal, Canyon House master class
Sunday: Haydn service, Canyon House rehearsal

A Little Stressed...

I have quite a number of things that I need to do in the next week or so, and some that have further deadlines, and the stress of it all is finally getting to me. I also know that for as long as I can remember, I like to wait till the very last minute to get things done. For some reason the pressure of deadlines also adds to my efficiency, with the unpleasant side effect of psychological distress.

File my taxes. I've never waited this close to 4/15 before.

Am leaving for SF tomorrow yet I feel that I have a number of things to do. Am almost certain that I will forget something but won't realise it until I am there. I suppose nothing can beat the time I went to woods hole and forgot my toothbrush. Woods Hole is one of those one shop towns, and the shop closes early. Naturally I arrived after the shops have closed for the day.

Had my first coaching with Lisa for the Canyon House Workshop and I feel that I need a lot of work. I'm really having trouble with some of the rhythms from Beth's aria. It stinks that I am a crappy musician. Just takes forever for me to learn a new piece. And I got the music for the trio I'm going to sing as well. Goes up to a C-sharp, and I will have to work with two other singers as well.

Have been feeling flabby lately. Now I am not fat or overweight by any measure, but I had been used to running 10-20 miles a week and now I only get in 3-5. I know that I've been busy with all the singing stuff I'm doing blah blah, but I did notice that I've gained some weight and just look a little rotund around the middle. And I've also noticed the change in my mood. Whoever said exercise releases endorphins was definitely on to something.

Talked to EHD briefly and he suggested that I do another experiment. Ugh! Just experiment upon experiment I swear. I thought I was done after this last one, but then the results wasn't what I expected and now I have to do some other experiments to determine other possibilities.

Another photo of Momo and Attticus 

Xiaobao

We had to put our dog down yesterday. We've had him since he was a tiny little puppy and he was about 10. He had acquired some sort of a neurological condition a few months ago, and had been on prednisone off and on, which I guess was not particularly unusual for Rottweilers. But he had been steadily deteriorating, and it had gotten to the point where he couldn't walk around anymore even to relieve himself. I felt that it was the right thing to do, but nevertheless it was a difficult decision. I think my mom took it particularly hard, after all, he was pretty much her dog this whole time. Even though I was "officially" the owner, I hadn't lived at home for as long as we had him. That's the sucky thing about owning pets. You get really attached to them pretty much with the realisation that they will (at least hopefully) die before you. But then you have to deal with the grief. I know that the day I am faced with the decision for Momo and Atticus I will be an absolute wreck. As it is, I feel that I need to take really good care of them and worry about them when I have to leave town for a few days. Sheesh.

April Concert etc...

Had our middle concert last saturday. It went generally well, and even though I love John, I have to admit that he's no Don. But still, it was great fun, particularly the Gospel mass, though I get the distinct feeling that we sounded too "white." But that is done with, and on Tuesday we start rehearsing for the "Opera Gala." It just never ends, which is a little tiring, but at the same time exciting and new.

Pagliacci also starts next week. Mary Lou has me on the Soprano II part. It's difficult explaining to her that I am really really a high soprano without seeming like I am a difficult diva, esp since the last time I worked with her I didn't have an operatic B-flat and now I have a D. Well, perhaps I can audition for her sometime so she can hear for herself. Not to mention it actually is very difficult to get some of the singers to sing anything other than top soprano. Not entirely sure the reason, but one of women who normally sing SI is actually doing mezzo stuff at the Canyon House workshop while I get the coloratura parts. Go figure.

Worked on Beth's Aria with Kathleen and her pianist Gigi today. The pianissimo F and B -flat are quite challenging, but I'm getting the hang of it (very slowly), and will work with Lisa on coaching later this week. Apart from Beth's aria, I will also be singing the recititave that leads into Beth's aria and the coloratura soprano part on the trio in "Postcard from Morocco." More music to learn....I really have to work at learning music as my sight reading and piano skills are just not up to speed. And I've never had to sing with another person in an ensemble situation before, so that will be challenging as well. But I am looking forward to this new learning experience. But I am making progress, and that's just how music is, it's a long term process of hard work. In a way, some things can't be rushed.

Think I may have the repertoire picked out for the competition. I'm leaning towards to "Alleluja" and "Willow Song", and Kathleen thinks that it will work. Need to know the songs cold though.

Leaving for SF on friday. Can't wait to see Deb!!!! How fun! And also Terence and his new girlfriend and also Michele!!! Whoo hoo, its going to be fun. If only I didn't have to miss the master class AND the rehearsal. sigh.

Mozart's Coronation Mass 

Gospel Mass