Not quite goodbye

Okay kittens, don't be sad but it is time for me to say goodbye. Or rather, see you later. It has been a fun year of ups and downs for me in Cambridge, but I am off to that strange land called Ohio to start up school, cat sit, celebrate my birthday and lots of other fun stuff. As for this blog, well as my friend Tatiana pointed out, I am not "Cambridge Soprano" outside of Cambridge. So, pigeons, I will be posting all my summer adventures on a new blog that is listed below. Don't cry pumpkins, I shall return with new adventures and new locations to find me. In the meanwhile, should you get lonely or in need of some spiritual guidance, feel free to look at some of my prior post and search for references to yourself if you like, that is if you know me. Till that time, sweetlings, ciao! And do keep up with me on my new blog space.

-Karen-
http://sopranointhecity.blogspot.com/

So, you want to be a Bostonian?

There are a few things that I have learned in my time here in Boston that are essential to being a proper Bostonian. Here is some advice from me to you:

1. Start to use words like "wicked" & "cheers" & "no worries" in your every day life. We may not be Brits, but we still like to talk like them.
2. Also, work on dropping the ends of words, especially if an "r" is involved (i.e. "ca" instead of "car"). Very helpful for vocalist to remember.
3. Treat all of Boston like OSU's campus, meaning that you can walk out in the middle of the street and just expect the cars to stop, and they will
4. Ladies, you may as well leave your stilettos at home. Or at least carry them in a bag to your destination. Because you are gonna walk EVERYWHERE and there are soooo many little indentations that those heels will get stuck in, so just forget about it.
5. If you decide to drive, you can enjoy the privilege of high gas prices, no parking and the friendly drivers I lovingly call "massholes".
6. Red Line=nice, Green Line=old & short, Orange Line=sketchy.
7. When you go to Fenway for a game, it doesn't matter that they are playing Tampa Bay. You will here "YANKEES SUCK" coming from the crowd. (These people REALLY hate that team).
8. Buy an umbrella and rain gear. The weather frequently changes so get use to it.
9. Looking for a one bedroom apartment? Get ready to pay triple what you would pay in any other city, other than New York and parts of California. Yes, you will have to wake up and look at the mirror and know you are paying $1300 to live in a hole.
10. As cynical as some of these are, Boston is a wonderful place to live. Begin to enjoy eating at the oldest running restaurant in the USA (union oyster house) then walk to the original Filene's basement and proceed to find Paul Revere's house and other wonderful historical places. Boston is a walkable city and there are a plethora of non-chain, awesome restaurants all over. Though...there are still Starbucks on every corner, either that or Dunkin Donuts.

Kubb/Quack/Guys, leave the uninterested ladies at home for a game/Stupid Cabbies

Catherine after hitting down a kubb

Rachael & I

Michelle with...um, Grady? or is it that other one??

Ev & I at the Christian Science thing

Beacon Hill!

On the tour

Boston on the Charles

Our sexy duck

Who are those sexy men:)??

Enjoying a beer and a dog

Me keeping score

Fenway at night

Evan singing "Take me out to the ballgame"

Mmm...Clam Chowder

Massasoit & I

Ev & I

Ev & I on the Mayflower II

Peep!

Evan is a sailor!

Ev & I a la Titanic (my idea of course)

Well, it was another adventure with Evan while he was in town. Jayne had a party at her house where we played some games and got to have some drinks...something I felt weird about doing in front of my voice teacher. And I learned a little too much about her personal life and wrestling....We went on a duck tour that was SOOO much fun with PJ as our driver, to Top of the Hub with my dad (who was in town) where we got drinks (the waitress gave my dad and I merlot instead of a cab...) and hot cookies! then the game that night and Plymouth the next day.

I will let most of the pics speak for themselves, but I want to say this. Gals, there are few things you should NOT do at a game. 1. Wear heels...I mean, c'mon. The guys are gonna be watching the game not the shape of your calves and there are lots of stairs 2. Drink, drink, drink (getting up during, in between, and every other which time in an inning) and spilling it all over people while shouting out obscenities to people you don't even know. 3. Go to the game. I mean, DON'T go if you aren't interested and you are going to leave at the sixth inning. Especially in a stadium like Boston where the cheap tickets are $50 a seat.

Other than that, I had a great time at the game and keeping score, even though the Indians lost. They are still cuties! And I was surprised and pleased to see the amount of Indians fans there. Ah, Ohioians. WE ARE TAKING OVER BOSTON!!!!

In other news, I got to go to Plymouth with Evan and we went to the oldest house there and on the Mayflower II (unimpressive) and had lunch at the Lobster Hut. Mmmm...then the taxi that was taking us back stopped to pick up his friend, swing him by the mall and then drop us off. I was PISSED about it. I like Boston cabbies soooo much better.

Well, I will be here for another two weeks and then it back to Cleveland where I hope to watch a game in less expensive seats, driving around in a car, and seeing my family and friends in Ohio. And, something really cool, is that Evan is on a plane right now with C.C. Sabathia!!!! GO INDIANS!!!! Oh, and cheers!

Summa, summa, summatime...

So, I am all done with school (officially as of last Friday) for the year and Evan is in town. It has been fun going around and seeing different sights and people. Today we are going on a trip to my voice teacher's house and tomorrow we are going to the Red Sox vs. Indians game!!!! It should be lots of fun.

In other news, I received my comments back from my vocal jury. What a way to start the summer. I like to think that I am a realistic person and while I realize that I am not the best singer in the world, I like my voice and I think that I have improved a great deal with my studies. It was surprising to find some harsh comments from people that I respect and in some cases have worked with a great deal. The unexpectedness of the comments combined with my own thoughts makes it difficult to digest. I usually agree with teachers, but in this case I strongly disagree with them. I hope I am not one of those people that thinks they are great and really they suck. The whole thing is making me second guess everything.

So, I am going to be here in Boston for a little while longer and then I am going back to C-bus for the summer to start a second masters. At that time, I will be with my great friend Adriane and hopefully I won't run out of money from all the fun we shall have.

The end of year one...

Ashley, Mr. Moll, me & Catherine

Bree & I

Me, Rachie & Michelle..the best trio ever!

Michelle looking cool

Rachael & Brian

Naoko & Rachael

Rachael & I

Rachael while walking home

Me, Ashley, Rachael & Michelle

Jonathan

Michelle & Rachael

Ashley, Me, Rachael & Michelle

Brian, Rachael & Ivan

So, it has finally come to pass. I have completed my first year as a masters student at Longy. It is kind of strange in a way, I feel like I have nothing to do now. Not that I don't have stuff to keep me busy, what with work, a concert next Wednesday, and Evan and possibly my parents coming to visit. But still, I don't get to see people as much and I really am missing old friends and my home in Ohio. My apartment here...isn't very cozy, except for my box of a room that is filled with my Karen touches.

But enough about that, here are some pics from the past week, including after art song, Bree's goodbye, and Rachie's recital. Enjoy!

A Little Night Music

Okay, for those of you coming to opera scenes tomorrow night here is a little background/things to look for:

Handel aria-Jonathan is what is called "male soprano" and is singing to his grave...what?! Yes, that is why it is kinda creepy. Listen for his ordimentation (he adds stuff to the melody!) when he repeats the first part of the aria. P.S. little tears when he walks off stage looking all sad.

Count's Aria-Athan is graduating this year and his speaking voice isn't anything like his singing voice. The first time he did this scene when he put down the "champagne glass" (played by a water bottle), he dented it. It is from the same play as the next scene...

Figaro: I AM IN THIS! We had to memorize speaking the Italian before we put it to music. I didn't realize I had an aria until a month ago and I cram learned it. Not bad. In the scene Cheribino is in love with the Countess and Suzanna is laughing at it. Cheribino has gotten papers to be enlisted in the army and we decide, since he is in the Countess's bedchamber we should dress him as a girl. LOOK for-the Countess being curiously attracted to Cheribino, me "playing" the guitar very poorly, the picture on the dresser...whose picture is that?? Plus, Mr. Moll says I look perfect in my outfit, like Maria from "The Sound of Music"

Dialogues: They are nuns. They are eating lentils. It's Poulenc, it is strange. Not much else

Dearest Mama: This is not an easy aria and it is sooo pretty. LOOK for: the gloves, the hot shoes that Bree is wearing.

Fair Robin: I AM IN THIS! Andrea is in the Opera department. LISTEN for: all the sexual innuendo. LOOK for: the cute dress I got from Ann Taylor Loft. It is a size zero! I play the role of Maryann in this scene and then Dorine in the next scene from the same opera...

Tartuffe duet: I have the quickest change. This is the most fun scene to do. Maryann is being forced to marry by her father when she loves someone else. She reads too many romance novel...how did Mr. Moll know our obsession?! LOOK for: the novel that is called "Sin & Sensibility" (mine of course), the cute picture frame reappears, the fishnet stockings that peep out. HOT HOT HOT.

Don Pas.: Um...I first saw this today. Cute, hard. LOOK for: the brown pinstriped suit.

Hope this helps you enjoy this musical experience! See you tomorrow night. -karen

Life isn't as easy as the boardgame makes it seem OR Stress & Confusion

Last night I went to sleep and I don't know how I did. My brain was consumed with thoughts about the coming week and how I would deal with a crazy work schedule plus all the rehearsals & finals that need to be completed. And, as I believe every person has experienced, when asked, "are you okay?" I nodded and then started weeping. Steve was really sweet and he offered to help cover part of my shift tomorrow while Cat took a shift later this week. They are splendidly splendid! With that behind me, I can take a deep breath and realize that things are going to be okay.

I talked with a close friend this past week about relationships and dating. She had broken up with a boyfriend a while ago and they were trying to be friends. But, lately, it wasn't working and the boy became almost rude in ignoring her. She was so upset when I talked with her and I could understand. It was comfortable and solid to know he was around and we are now reaching an age where marriage and creating a foundation is all around us and desired by us as well. It is hard to know where love ends and comfort begins in choosing to be with someone. I have friends that are dating or married to a person that is the perfect fit, despite the imperfections. Then there are the people that are dating, or married, that seem to love the relationship more than the person. But how hard it is to extricate from that kind of relationship...almost impossible as I have dealt with in past. The need to get away...but the comfort of keeping things the same holds you back.

In other news, I am trying to get as much done as possible for the end of the semester. It is funny because unlike my classes for undergrad I don't have the luxury of pushing my physical limits. In fact, I have to be the opposite so I can perform well. Sigh. There just aren't enough hours in the day!

It is raining outside and the smell of the fresh spring mist clings to the air. I just love it! Thought spring is not my favorite season, this part of it makes me feel like snuggling with my cat and a good book while drinking tea. But life doesn't seem to want me to be completely happy. There is always something big missing. I feel like I just have to make it through this week, this month, this year and then I can get what I want. But it has been that way for three years. I don't understand why and what I have done or what I could do to change it. I just have to keep on waiting.