Me=Bookworm

A special thanks to Rachael who gave me the book "Duchess" by Susan Holloway Scott. It is incredibly wonderful. It is sexy and smart and based on Sarah Churchill and since it is historical fiction, it makes the story even more provocative. While I was reading, I realized that I am a lot like Sarah. She is perceptive and uses what she has to make her way in the world, but not sexually. Plus (and remember that I have not finished reading, so she is not yet married), right now her relationship with John Churchill reminds me of my relationship. They are quite in love, but...if you want to know what I am talking about, read the book or contact me. Though, either way, you should really read the book.

Cheers!

Check out her website at : http://susanhollowayscott.com/index.htm

Snow

Here is a picture from the other night. Right now it is snowing too.
Cheers!

"Goodbye Puccini, hello my old friend, Mozart" or "Bloom where you are planted"

In my voice lesson on Wednesday Jayne looked at me as she was leaning against the wall and said "Karen, I think you are a coloratura." My response: "...really?" I suppose in the back of my mind I always thought that it was a possibility. I can sing extremely high and I love doing quick runs...but I suppose I don't want to give up my dream of being Mimi in La Boheme. But, as Jayne pointed out, I have those qualities as well as my struggle with lower notes. Typical coloratura. But, as Jayne said, I'm also a soubrette which means I can do all the fun, flirty roles as well. So, I suppose that isn't too bad. I just look at all the coloraturas I know from school and such and I just don't see myself in that category. Though, as I have learned, my voice is still growing and changing, but I think that Jayne is right with where I am going. What does this mean? That's right, no Puccini and lots of Mozart. And, while I do enjoy singing Mozart, after a while I get a little bored after the sixth or seventh or hundredth piece I have sung by him. When I was talking with Evan about this, I tried to describe how I felt about it. My best metaphor went like this:

Singing songs that I love but are out of my Fach, like some Puccini or Brahms that I have done, are like a dress or pair of really cute pants that almost fit, but not quite. But, it is so cute that you buy it and wear it and you wish that it was slightly altered to be perfect. When I sang Adele, a coloratura role, and most Mozart pieces, it felt like a favorite pair of perfect jeans or that perfect skirt you wear all the time. It always fits perfectly and you feel comfortable and you love it...but you wear it all the time and you want something different and exciting.

I will strive to find literature to fit my voice and perhaps I should just do pieces that are perfect for me and not slightly imperfect and see what happens this semester. I just love so much that I shouldn't do and it makes me a little sad. Though, as one of my co-workers said the other day "It is a gift, isn't it? Not many people can do that." I will give into what I am and try to make it fabulous. And, like all the musical theater I love, I will look at pieces I love, but not touch and slide back into my favorite pair of perfect jeans, Mozart.

So, what happens next?

Perhaps this post is a little premature. Lately, in light of my lovely friend Ashley's search for a doctoral program, I have been reflecting on...what happens next? Though, who knows if I will ever pass the impossible test that Longy makes every Master's student take in order to earn their degree. I suppose it could be worse and I could have a lot more homework than learning and singing beautiful music each week and I would have to study for tests like this daily.

But I digress. In the wake of a new semester starting tomorrow, I have been thinking about the future. Should I teach? And if so, what grade level? Should I go to Hungary again? Should I start a Masters in music education? (Think of how marketable that would make me!) But then, how long would I be in school?! How much would it all cost me? What about Evan? Where would that leave us? For those who have known me for a while, my relationship with the boy has been complicated with him being in Hungary last year and me being in Boston this year. I know people that deal with long distance relationships well, but I am not one of those people. I am a cuddler and I love showing affection and I feel like a hermit crab constantly going into my shell.

So, here I am at the beginning of the Spring semester of my two-year long degree program. And I am filled with questions. Are you surprised? I thought not. I have goals but I never know how they will play out. Looking back, who would have thought I would be where I am today? Certainly not I. God truly takes my life and just goes "Hm...what if I make her do...um...this!" and WHOOSH off my life goes in a totally new direction. And, in reflection, I see His work by seeing who I am surrounded by. Aleta in Hungary, Adriane & Susan in C-bus, Rachael in Boston. Strong female friends that help me realize that life is unexpected, but that is the beauty of it.

I guess the long and the short of this blog is, thanks to all those who have pushed and loved me enough to help me to get where I am. And, please, help me figure out where I am going because, obviously, I have no idea.

"A dream itself is but a shadow" -Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act II, Scene 2

I am one of those people that every once in a while remembers my dreams, the good, the bad and the weird ones. Last night, something happened that I have never had occur in my years of existence. I remembered my dream this morning, but the dream had an ending. The dream itself is now a bit blurred, as is normal for me, and was very disjointed. It started with driving up a very steep hill to see this gorgeous villa that over looked a valley. Evan was there, but he refused to get in the car and to come with us. So, once we reached the top and went to the beach (yes, this makes no sense I know), I really missed him and wished he had come up. Somehow, I got the car and drove to go get him. He finally came with me and there were some people that were brain washing a crowd at an outdoor theater. I found a...something (this part is a bit fuzzy now) and stopped them. So, we all decided to leave and to make the perilous journey down the hill. People had to crowd in the back and I had to leave some items at the village, since they would not fit with all the people. Of course, we couldn't walk down the hill since it was too steep. (But, of course we could drive right...). The car was tipped downward and we had to climb into the car to prepare for our journey. But, I was worried that the car would not stay there before we all got into the car. Usually in my dreams, it wouldn't and then I would wake quite confused. However, this time it stayed and we all got in and the car went down the hill. My dream ended in completion with a beginning, a middle and an end and me waking up at the end remembering it. So what does this mean? I have no idea. I just felt like it was an experience to share.

My Weekend with Simon

The last few months I have been thinking about getting a dog. It seems like a nice thing to have for companionship and security. Since the boy is in Ohio, wouldn't this seem the best solution? After this weekend, I have decided that this is a bad idea and that I am firmly a "cat person". Not that I dislike dogs...as long as I don't have to take care of them. At this stage of my life, it is like my perception of children. I don't mind teaching them, as long as I can send them off to their parents later. So, now you are curious. What happened to drastically change her mind? Well, here is the scoop:

On Friday I went over to visit Simon's, excited about the weekend. When I took him for a walk, he was a bit fast and I realized that I needed to keep a firm hold. While sniffing a stoop, a man walked by. All of the sudden, Simon leapt at him, freaking me and the man out. That night, Simon jumped onto the bed and proceeded to take up all of the space and giving me very little wiggle room with the covers. The next day, I came home to find some paper towels I had placed in a bag littering the floor as well as a food container open and gnawed on. After a long day (I opened at work) I did not want to deal with the mess but I had to clean it anyway. I was quite careful while walking him that night, but when he heard a dog barking in the park I was almost drag for a second as he leapt in the direction. That night I gather the covers around myself and did not let Simon take up the space. He did succeed at waking me up in the middle of the night shaking his collar and roaming around the room creating a series of jingles (as if the cold and weird sounds from the non-working heater weren't bad enough). The next morning I had to open at my store again and explained my situation to my sympathetic co-workers. I got home and took out Simon briefly before heading to my house. I read and relaxed and prepared myself for the final encounter with the dog. For the final walk, I was determined to keep Simon in check. However, he decided to leap at another passing man (who uttered some expletives) who I had to apologies to. I did succeed keeping him from lurching at a dog that looked like a pit bull as well as a runner by having him sit and blocking his view with my umbrella (oh yeah, it has been constantly raining the past two days too!). I brought him in, fed him and left.

So, now I am at home and very thankful that I am here. I still like dogs, I think they are quite cute. And I don't this Simon isn't trained. He just chooses not to listen. After these past few days, I am making myself a nice meal, sitting and watching the Patriots play & Rome later, and having a drink. How nice it will be to sleep tonight!

What the Buck?

As most of you know, OSU lost a heart breaking game to the Gators on Monday night, which also happened to be Evan's birthday. It was suppose to be a day of joy! But, no worries, we made it great in the "american" way (Those of you who know Mr. Moll, please think of "american" the way he says it). The day started with me driving my dad to the airport so I could use his car to get to Evan's house (those of you that remember that time in August when my '97 Saturn died...leaving me car-less). It was nice to talk with him and to have lunch before he left. By the way, this is the first of several trips for him these next few months. At the end of the month he goes to France, then in Feb. to Greece and in July he goes to Australia for a month all of which is with my mom. GRRRRR!

But I digress. I brought Evan some birthday balloons with Darth Vadar on them and gave him his gifts (a bottle of Chimay, a $30 gift certificate to Phoenix coffee[his favorite...albeit a competitor with my company] and a Kinderegg...a little inside joke from Hungary three years ago). We relaxed, played video games and at dinner opened my bottle of 2004 Ferrari Carano Chardonnay which was yummy! I also watched Empire records for the first time.


After dinner, we were picked up by his friend Ryan who has been living in Japan these past two years and was in town for a short period of time. For those non-Buckeye fans, Ryan was suppose to fly back on Sunday...but once he found out that the game was on the 9th, he changed his ticket to watch the game. I know one other person who did the same for an overseas flight. That is Buckeye loyalty. So, we went over to his house to watch the game on the HD tv at his parents house. They had a keg-o-rater that was tapped with Killians and once the Bucks were a lost cause, we did the American way and drank our loss away. Here are some pics, including the dog named Brutus after the Buckeye mascot. Hope you enjoy theses!

Evan and Ryan
Alan coming to the game
Brutus

Evan, Ryan & I after the game...smiling through the tears!

WELCOME 2007!

I hope that everyone had a nice holiday. I have been able to sit around, read a lot, eat wonderful food, and spend loads of time with Evan and my family. Here are some pics for your enjoyment:o).
Evan & I making dinner for friends

Playing the game "My Word!" which I am the QUEEN at!
Adriane & I at Bexley Monk