I woke up this morning because my heart was pounding and my mind was racing after the frightening dream I had. Picture the famous running with the bulls in Spain ... and now, instead of bulls, imagine big yellow school buses. I wish I were kidding.
I was hanging out with some friends after a concert by my favorite artist, and we were about to cross a busy roadway. Westley came up with the idea to throw our belongings across to the other side and then swing over using a vine suspended above the roadway, a la Tarzan.
As we were about to cross, two school buses in the two rightmost lanes saw us and stopped. When the drivers made eye contact with us, it seemed as though they were stopping for us. We waved graciously and began to cross.
Then without any warning, as we were between lanes, they took off and we were now caught in busy traffic. For some reason, we decided to try to run next to the buses, pounding on the windows, in the hopes that they might see us and stop again so we could get to the other side.
At one point I was holding onto the bus as I ran, and I lost my grip. I fell face forward and thought I was a goner. The friend running behind me helped me up and we began running once more.
Somehow we all made it safely to some sort of cafeteria setting where there were long white cafeteria tables set up with arts and crafts. Apparently we were expecting children to arrive soon, and we were expected to help supervise the children. The people sitting at the ends of the tables, also helping, were the bus drivers.
Someone asked me, "Estrella, will you help out at this table?" I looked at the adult assistant at the end of the table.
"She tried to run me over!" I cried out when I recognized her face. She was the driver of the bus I had held onto while running before I fell. There was a hushed uneasiness in the room after that protest. They were all wondering if I was going to make a scene. I hadn't been run over, so it really wasn't an issue that we'd all been fearing for our lives moments earlier.
Looking around, I felt the unspoken pressure to simply go along with everyone else.
"Whatever. It's no big deal," I said as calmly as I could manage as I took a seat on the long white cafeteria table bench. My blood was still boiling, and my thoughts took over: Hey, what happened to that ledge where all my stuff is? How are we gonna get back there? And that's when I woke up- just before 7am. *sigh*
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Delaying parts of the real world
One of the dreams which accompanied the job search was total independence- getting my own place (NO roommates after the numerous issues I had with the randomly assigned roommates last year), decorating it with items acquired from yard sales and IKEA, and starting anew.
Checking out information online about the available apartments in the area was a bit of an eye-opener. Even a single bedroom apartment is about a grand per month, much higher than I'd expected.
Because the new job is within commuting distance of my parents' home, my mother has been trying to convince me that I ought to commute for awhile.
"Just think- much lower rent with laundry service and groceries included!" She has told me.
Even with the price of gas, the monthly commute comes out to 20% of the rent per month I mentioned above. Adding minimal rent (paid to my parents) to that, plus the once-a-month drive to see Westley, may push up the cost of expenses to only half of what I'd be paying otherwise. In fact, my mother is now taking it for granted that I'll just live here, telling me that I shouldn't even consider looking for a new place until after the New Year.
Economically, it makes sense to do that, and it should enable me to 1) pay off college loans more quickly and 2) save more money. Even though I'm disappointed that I won't be getting my own place right away, I recognize it's smarter to start out this way. Besides, once I do move out on my own, there's no moving back into the nest. I'm lucky that I have a pretty good relationship with my parents.
I did tell my mother that she and my father have to decide exactly what I'll need to pay (because they've neglected to have this conversation thus far in spite of my requests), and I said I'd like to establish guidelines, a contract of sorts, for these living arrangements. That is, I don't want to always have to call home to let them know that I've arrived at my destination or to let them know when I'm on my way home. In my five years of schooling in another state, I am no longer accustomed to being accountable to them in that way, and I want to be treated like the adult I have become. I am the oldest child, and therefore, they have always been more guarded with me and I have had to push for more freedom than my younger siblings. I took on more responsibilities- financial and otherwise- than my siblings at their respective ages. In spite of my efforts, because I'm their child, my parents refuse to recognize sometimes that I'm not a child anymore.
The next few months will be a learning experience for everyone involved. I'm hoping that my mom is right- that this choice to commute from their home will be less stressful because I won't have to worry about my own place and doing everything completely on my own. I'm hopeful that there won't be constant interruptions as there have been this summer. There's always so much commotion that it's extremely difficult to concentrate at times. Even writing this post has taken significantly longer than it should because of countless distractions (conversations, phone calls, oldies radio station blaring, etc.). If I were actually trying to work (i.e. write lesson plans, study repertoire, etc.), I think I'd find it impossible. That concerns me.
I'll take a deep breath, pray for serenity, and hope that all goes well.
Checking out information online about the available apartments in the area was a bit of an eye-opener. Even a single bedroom apartment is about a grand per month, much higher than I'd expected.
Because the new job is within commuting distance of my parents' home, my mother has been trying to convince me that I ought to commute for awhile.
"Just think- much lower rent with laundry service and groceries included!" She has told me.
Even with the price of gas, the monthly commute comes out to 20% of the rent per month I mentioned above. Adding minimal rent (paid to my parents) to that, plus the once-a-month drive to see Westley, may push up the cost of expenses to only half of what I'd be paying otherwise. In fact, my mother is now taking it for granted that I'll just live here, telling me that I shouldn't even consider looking for a new place until after the New Year.
Economically, it makes sense to do that, and it should enable me to 1) pay off college loans more quickly and 2) save more money. Even though I'm disappointed that I won't be getting my own place right away, I recognize it's smarter to start out this way. Besides, once I do move out on my own, there's no moving back into the nest. I'm lucky that I have a pretty good relationship with my parents.
I did tell my mother that she and my father have to decide exactly what I'll need to pay (because they've neglected to have this conversation thus far in spite of my requests), and I said I'd like to establish guidelines, a contract of sorts, for these living arrangements. That is, I don't want to always have to call home to let them know that I've arrived at my destination or to let them know when I'm on my way home. In my five years of schooling in another state, I am no longer accustomed to being accountable to them in that way, and I want to be treated like the adult I have become. I am the oldest child, and therefore, they have always been more guarded with me and I have had to push for more freedom than my younger siblings. I took on more responsibilities- financial and otherwise- than my siblings at their respective ages. In spite of my efforts, because I'm their child, my parents refuse to recognize sometimes that I'm not a child anymore.
The next few months will be a learning experience for everyone involved. I'm hoping that my mom is right- that this choice to commute from their home will be less stressful because I won't have to worry about my own place and doing everything completely on my own. I'm hopeful that there won't be constant interruptions as there have been this summer. There's always so much commotion that it's extremely difficult to concentrate at times. Even writing this post has taken significantly longer than it should because of countless distractions (conversations, phone calls, oldies radio station blaring, etc.). If I were actually trying to work (i.e. write lesson plans, study repertoire, etc.), I think I'd find it impossible. That concerns me.
I'll take a deep breath, pray for serenity, and hope that all goes well.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Singing for my supper
Last Friday, I sang for my supper.
A few months earlier, I received a call from the daughter of my mother's friend, asking if I would sing at her wedding. While inwardly hesitant- I had no idea where I'd be with the job search or where I could be living - I recognized the honor of the request and was thus obligated by my sense of manners to accept.
As a thank-you for agreeing to sing, I received an official invitation to the wedding and reception with "and Guest" after my name. Westley agreed to accompany me as my date, and I graciously accepted the invitation. After learning through the grapevine that the reception cost $125/head, I requested that my singing be considered my gift to the happy couple when the bride's mother asked me what they ought to pay me.
I don't think the family connection alone would have earned me an invitation, and with the reception as pricey as it was, my standard fee was paid in terms of the exceptional food and alcohol.
A few months earlier, I received a call from the daughter of my mother's friend, asking if I would sing at her wedding. While inwardly hesitant- I had no idea where I'd be with the job search or where I could be living - I recognized the honor of the request and was thus obligated by my sense of manners to accept.
As a thank-you for agreeing to sing, I received an official invitation to the wedding and reception with "and Guest" after my name. Westley agreed to accompany me as my date, and I graciously accepted the invitation. After learning through the grapevine that the reception cost $125/head, I requested that my singing be considered my gift to the happy couple when the bride's mother asked me what they ought to pay me.
I don't think the family connection alone would have earned me an invitation, and with the reception as pricey as it was, my standard fee was paid in terms of the exceptional food and alcohol.
Friday, July 25, 2008
My official five year reunion will be held at a pub
Hmm.
I had expected a classier venue, envisioning that I'd find a lovely dress, perhaps treat myself to some minimal pampering, and dance to pleasant music with Westley. Almost like a cheaper but more sophisticated version of prom.
Instead, I'll have to consider which of my dresses I like the least so that I won't mind it smelling like smoke even after I've laundered it. Ugh.
Guess that's what I get when I live in an area where traffic slows to barely-faster-than-walking-pace as cars prepare to pass the tractor who decides to ride on the road. (This happened to me yesterday. Seriously.) All I can say is- it's a good thing I've discovered in the past few months that there are indeed beers I enjoy (even though I much prefer wine). Just gotta laugh, I suppose.
I had expected a classier venue, envisioning that I'd find a lovely dress, perhaps treat myself to some minimal pampering, and dance to pleasant music with Westley. Almost like a cheaper but more sophisticated version of prom.
Instead, I'll have to consider which of my dresses I like the least so that I won't mind it smelling like smoke even after I've laundered it. Ugh.
Guess that's what I get when I live in an area where traffic slows to barely-faster-than-walking-pace as cars prepare to pass the tractor who decides to ride on the road. (This happened to me yesterday. Seriously.) All I can say is- it's a good thing I've discovered in the past few months that there are indeed beers I enjoy (even though I much prefer wine). Just gotta laugh, I suppose.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Number Five!
Finally!!! *breathes huge sigh of relief*
I have been offered the job for which I interviewed this morning!!! It's the job I wanted!!! Bonus points to this new position (over the the other positions for which I had interviewed) because the responsibilities of this job are exactly in line with my Master's specialty!!!
I am so elated, relieved, excited, motivated, slightly nervous, but overall thrilled about this! (I'm not as excited to turn down the other job offer because I hate being the bearer of bad news.)
So ... the job is 100% my area of choice ... and while the students at this age level are sometimes referred to as "hormonal monsters," I couldn't be happier. I really feel like this is such a good fit for me ... and finally, I have a job!!!
So, of course, I accepted ... and I'm waiting for the official papers to arrive in the mail. Yay!
I have been offered the job for which I interviewed this morning!!! It's the job I wanted!!! Bonus points to this new position (over the the other positions for which I had interviewed) because the responsibilities of this job are exactly in line with my Master's specialty!!!
I am so elated, relieved, excited, motivated, slightly nervous, but overall thrilled about this! (I'm not as excited to turn down the other job offer because I hate being the bearer of bad news.)
So ... the job is 100% my area of choice ... and while the students at this age level are sometimes referred to as "hormonal monsters," I couldn't be happier. I really feel like this is such a good fit for me ... and finally, I have a job!!!
So, of course, I accepted ... and I'm waiting for the official papers to arrive in the mail. Yay!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hairy subject
After adding new several pictures on the 'book (and being tagged in pictures posted by others who were on my trip), I decided to go back through my photos. I still get kinda shocked when I see the pictures of the long hair (reaching the middle of my back) I had just 2+ years ago before I chopped off 11" for charity.
In retrospect, long hair required so much maintenance. I couldn't really style it because it was too heavy. I remember having to braid it in the evening before going to sleep ... If I forgot, it took a LONG time to comb it out in the morning. Before showering, I'd always stick it up in a clip because I'd never be able to soap up effectively otherwise.
Now, with my first shorter haircut since the 11" chop-off event (although short= shoulder-length at the moment), I am realizing it is rather nice to not have so much to maintain. And, maybe with shorter hair, people won't mistake me for a high school student as often.
In retrospect, long hair required so much maintenance. I couldn't really style it because it was too heavy. I remember having to braid it in the evening before going to sleep ... If I forgot, it took a LONG time to comb it out in the morning. Before showering, I'd always stick it up in a clip because I'd never be able to soap up effectively otherwise.
Now, with my first shorter haircut since the 11" chop-off event (although short= shoulder-length at the moment), I am realizing it is rather nice to not have so much to maintain. And, maybe with shorter hair, people won't mistake me for a high school student as often.
Time lost forever
I got a parking ticket about a month ago.
Normally, I'm very conscious of these things and I overpay meters just in case. However, the day that this citation was issued was a Sunday. After spending years in CoolCity for my undergraduate studies (a much larger city than LocalCity), I expected that the rules would be the same: no charge for Sundays. I didn't even bother to check. Alas, I was wrong and I found myself writing a check for $20 and mailing it to LocalCity the very next day.
Yesterday, I received a notice about delinquency in paying for the ticket. I'd misplaced my checkbook temporarily in my madness in preparing for all of my summer time away (3 full weeks of domestic and then international trips), and I finally found it this morning. I found the proof - the check's back-up copy- and I discovered by checking my online records that the check had been deposited at the very end of last month. Hmmm.
I called up the company, got lost in navigating through their automated system, and finally reached a live person. Despite my irritation with the situation (their incompetency was wasting my time), I spoke very pleasantly and matter-of-factly about the situation to the employee. It wasn't until the end of the phone call that the employee even acknowledged that there was some record of having received something from me (and this was more muttered under her breath than acknowledged directly to me), but she said that she would "research" the matter and that I would receive confirmation via snailmail. Hmm. I thanked her and promptly recorded all of the details of our conversation on the delinquency notice so that, in the event of future issues, I can refer to the phone call.
Normally, I'm very conscious of these things and I overpay meters just in case. However, the day that this citation was issued was a Sunday. After spending years in CoolCity for my undergraduate studies (a much larger city than LocalCity), I expected that the rules would be the same: no charge for Sundays. I didn't even bother to check. Alas, I was wrong and I found myself writing a check for $20 and mailing it to LocalCity the very next day.
Yesterday, I received a notice about delinquency in paying for the ticket. I'd misplaced my checkbook temporarily in my madness in preparing for all of my summer time away (3 full weeks of domestic and then international trips), and I finally found it this morning. I found the proof - the check's back-up copy- and I discovered by checking my online records that the check had been deposited at the very end of last month. Hmmm.
I called up the company, got lost in navigating through their automated system, and finally reached a live person. Despite my irritation with the situation (their incompetency was wasting my time), I spoke very pleasantly and matter-of-factly about the situation to the employee. It wasn't until the end of the phone call that the employee even acknowledged that there was some record of having received something from me (and this was more muttered under her breath than acknowledged directly to me), but she said that she would "research" the matter and that I would receive confirmation via snailmail. Hmm. I thanked her and promptly recorded all of the details of our conversation on the delinquency notice so that, in the event of future issues, I can refer to the phone call.
Am I the only one?
Whenever I go to get a haircut, I am extremely self-aware. I take extra care in selecting a trendy outfit and I try to style my hair (which is more than I can say for most days) ... I'm not exactly sure why this is, considering I've been going to the same hairdresser for over a decade.
Monday, July 21, 2008
It's Nice to Feel Wanted
This Interview#5 coming up sounds sooo exciting to me now. It helps that the principal emailed me a few times after speaking with my parents on the phone while I was away. (I gave them control of my cell phone because it wouldn't work in Europe; that way, they could take my messages and relay them to me via email.) When my mom spoke with the principal, she was quite pleased because he was so impressed with my background and experience! She even set up an interview for me with him for after my return ... and ... she was so excited about everything he was sharing that she told him that she'd take the job herself!
Before I left on my summer adventures, I had contacted the district HR rep to set up a pre-screening interview. He too apparently called while I was away (even though when I'd contacted him beforehand, he'd said to wait until I returned to set up the interview). I called him early this morning to inquire about the pre-screening interview, and he said he'd already passed me through to the next round- which is, the interview with the principal himself. He explained that my resume and my reference letters were so strong that a pre-screening interview wasn't necessary. Sweet!
I just got a call from the assistant principal, and I liked her right away. She too was checking in on me, to make sure I hadn't accepted any other offers yet and to reiterate that they were very interested in me for this position. She even went so far to say something about me joining their staff very soon.
Considering my list of things I hoped to find in my job (type of program, strength of program, community, location), this job really does meet all of those "requirements" exceptionally well. The only downsides are that 1) it's .10 short of a 1.0 full-time position and 2) while it's closer to home, it's 4 hours from Westley. My gut instinct? This is a much better fit for me than DreamJob. This sounds like a great position where I can jump in, learn and grow ... it just feels right. So ... we'll see!
Before I left on my summer adventures, I had contacted the district HR rep to set up a pre-screening interview. He too apparently called while I was away (even though when I'd contacted him beforehand, he'd said to wait until I returned to set up the interview). I called him early this morning to inquire about the pre-screening interview, and he said he'd already passed me through to the next round- which is, the interview with the principal himself. He explained that my resume and my reference letters were so strong that a pre-screening interview wasn't necessary. Sweet!
I just got a call from the assistant principal, and I liked her right away. She too was checking in on me, to make sure I hadn't accepted any other offers yet and to reiterate that they were very interested in me for this position. She even went so far to say something about me joining their staff very soon.
Considering my list of things I hoped to find in my job (type of program, strength of program, community, location), this job really does meet all of those "requirements" exceptionally well. The only downsides are that 1) it's .10 short of a 1.0 full-time position and 2) while it's closer to home, it's 4 hours from Westley. My gut instinct? This is a much better fit for me than DreamJob. This sounds like a great position where I can jump in, learn and grow ... it just feels right. So ... we'll see!
Memories or almost-real dreams?
Still recovering from jet lag, even though I returned to this country on Friday. One unexpected benefit is that I'm actually able to go to bed at a reasonable hour, which causes me to wake up earlier than normal. It's rather nice to wake up 1-2 hours after sunrise because the day seems to last longer ... and I don't feel as though I'm wasting the day by sleeping in later.
The second part of my Summer Adventures (or third part, if you count the brief visit to the Hot But Not Coastal State on the other side of the country for my cousin's wedding as summer travels part 1) was delightful! (I did learn, however, that it is NOT easy to travel with 70+ other people for nearly two weeks.)
Anyway, starting from the beginning: We began in European City Known For Its Musical History, and we visited a certain yellow summer palace and an interactive musical museum. I went to both of these places last summer when I was backpacking around by myself prior to my studies in the country next door. It's lovely but strange to recognize sights and places which are thousands of miles from home. We sang a concert in a nearby suburb with a local choir at a magnificent place of worship, and the choir took us out for an authentic ethnic meal afterwards. (I believe this was Schnitzel #1 ... and we ended up having that same meal about 5 more times on our short trip.)
From there, we stopped by another summer home of another royal ... and this is where a certain famous classical composer (and by classical, I do mean classical era, not just another dead guy who wrote music at some point in the last 500+ years *grin*) was employed for quite awhile. His employment there led to innovations in genres, and he influenced others who became even more famous and influential. We performed a brief informal concert in the performance hall, and I got to conduct one of the pieces from my recital. Sweet!
We then enjoyed the bulk of our time abroad at a competition in the area which is home of origin to a certain politician/actor/etc. whose key phrase is, "I'll be back!" We had some amazing aesthetic experiences, singing at a higher level than I'd ever known. We bonded with groups from other nations, and, due to our success in the competition, we were greeted/treated like celebrities by many other people who heard us perform.
Our time was on a very strict schedule, but finally, on my birthday, we were actually given a few hours of free time (our first free time on the trip). Westley and I explored the old town (a castle, streets, a cathedral), ate pastries with coffee and tea for lunch, and shopped for souvenirs. In the evening, there was a celebratory dinner in honor of the end of the competition, and my birthday twin (another girl on the trip who shares my birthday, though not the same year) and I were serenaded by our former classmates. Lovely.
Our days were a little freer after this part of our trip had ended. We were still on a tight schedule, but we had only 1 performance in our last 4 days, as compared with 1-3 performances per day for the first part of our trip. We stayed in a lovely capital city in the country just south of where we had been up to that point. Loved it. Walking tour was pleasant and so was the free time we had to meander through the streets, soaking up the beautiful ambience. Westley and I both remarked that its character was rather similar to that of the famous Riverwalk in the U.S. state which used to be its own country. We have decided that we must return someday!
On our way to the final city, we spent a long afternoon in a small Italian city on the coast. Walking tour was fine but tiring ... and free time in this city was not nearly as inspiring as in the other places we visited. Westley and I passed the afternoon in a museum which featured an exhibit on opera diva Maria Callas and multiple exhibits on other musicians (performers, composers, conductors, etc) and musical instruments (older models, world instruments, etc). Certainly an interesting experience. I believe we were the only ones there that day, so we had our own personal tour guide for each of the two floors of the museum. Neither of the two adorable older ladies spoke any English, but somehow we managed to understand each other.
Our final stop was at the city with gondolas. Again, it was lovely but strange that it was familiar to me, as I'd been there with BestFriend in March '07. Loved it then ... and enjoyed it this time with Westley. No gondolas for us ... but wandering along the ancient streets, over the bridges, along the Grand Canal with him was romantic in its own way. (Having to fight the summer crowds, on the other hand, made me realize that BestFriend and I were wise to travel in the springtime rather than in the summer!) In our free time, he put up with my quest for the perfect glass jewelry, and we also visited a church which housed Monteverdi's grave. One of the highlights in the trip took place in the enormous 900 year old church in the main square. We sang parts of the service, and I got to conduct the Offertory (one of the pieces from my recital). Who would have thought, when I'd visited there less than 18 months ago, that I'd be returning there to sing and conduct for one of their services? That was an incredibly special and memorable experience.
Thus ends the GradSchool chapter of my life. Full focus is now on finding The First Job. I was disappointed that DreamJob didn't choose me ... but ironically, the day after I got that email is when I was contacted for what will become Interview#5. Perhaps I will know by the end of this week where I will begin my career. Now, I've got to set up the pre-screening interview with the district and call the other district which offered me a position I don't want (Interview #2). Onward!
The second part of my Summer Adventures (or third part, if you count the brief visit to the Hot But Not Coastal State on the other side of the country for my cousin's wedding as summer travels part 1) was delightful! (I did learn, however, that it is NOT easy to travel with 70+ other people for nearly two weeks.)
Anyway, starting from the beginning: We began in European City Known For Its Musical History, and we visited a certain yellow summer palace and an interactive musical museum. I went to both of these places last summer when I was backpacking around by myself prior to my studies in the country next door. It's lovely but strange to recognize sights and places which are thousands of miles from home. We sang a concert in a nearby suburb with a local choir at a magnificent place of worship, and the choir took us out for an authentic ethnic meal afterwards. (I believe this was Schnitzel #1 ... and we ended up having that same meal about 5 more times on our short trip.)
From there, we stopped by another summer home of another royal ... and this is where a certain famous classical composer (and by classical, I do mean classical era, not just another dead guy who wrote music at some point in the last 500+ years *grin*) was employed for quite awhile. His employment there led to innovations in genres, and he influenced others who became even more famous and influential. We performed a brief informal concert in the performance hall, and I got to conduct one of the pieces from my recital. Sweet!
We then enjoyed the bulk of our time abroad at a competition in the area which is home of origin to a certain politician/actor/etc. whose key phrase is, "I'll be back!" We had some amazing aesthetic experiences, singing at a higher level than I'd ever known. We bonded with groups from other nations, and, due to our success in the competition, we were greeted/treated like celebrities by many other people who heard us perform.
Our time was on a very strict schedule, but finally, on my birthday, we were actually given a few hours of free time (our first free time on the trip). Westley and I explored the old town (a castle, streets, a cathedral), ate pastries with coffee and tea for lunch, and shopped for souvenirs. In the evening, there was a celebratory dinner in honor of the end of the competition, and my birthday twin (another girl on the trip who shares my birthday, though not the same year) and I were serenaded by our former classmates. Lovely.
Our days were a little freer after this part of our trip had ended. We were still on a tight schedule, but we had only 1 performance in our last 4 days, as compared with 1-3 performances per day for the first part of our trip. We stayed in a lovely capital city in the country just south of where we had been up to that point. Loved it. Walking tour was pleasant and so was the free time we had to meander through the streets, soaking up the beautiful ambience. Westley and I both remarked that its character was rather similar to that of the famous Riverwalk in the U.S. state which used to be its own country. We have decided that we must return someday!
On our way to the final city, we spent a long afternoon in a small Italian city on the coast. Walking tour was fine but tiring ... and free time in this city was not nearly as inspiring as in the other places we visited. Westley and I passed the afternoon in a museum which featured an exhibit on opera diva Maria Callas and multiple exhibits on other musicians (performers, composers, conductors, etc) and musical instruments (older models, world instruments, etc). Certainly an interesting experience. I believe we were the only ones there that day, so we had our own personal tour guide for each of the two floors of the museum. Neither of the two adorable older ladies spoke any English, but somehow we managed to understand each other.
Our final stop was at the city with gondolas. Again, it was lovely but strange that it was familiar to me, as I'd been there with BestFriend in March '07. Loved it then ... and enjoyed it this time with Westley. No gondolas for us ... but wandering along the ancient streets, over the bridges, along the Grand Canal with him was romantic in its own way. (Having to fight the summer crowds, on the other hand, made me realize that BestFriend and I were wise to travel in the springtime rather than in the summer!) In our free time, he put up with my quest for the perfect glass jewelry, and we also visited a church which housed Monteverdi's grave. One of the highlights in the trip took place in the enormous 900 year old church in the main square. We sang parts of the service, and I got to conduct the Offertory (one of the pieces from my recital). Who would have thought, when I'd visited there less than 18 months ago, that I'd be returning there to sing and conduct for one of their services? That was an incredibly special and memorable experience.
Thus ends the GradSchool chapter of my life. Full focus is now on finding The First Job. I was disappointed that DreamJob didn't choose me ... but ironically, the day after I got that email is when I was contacted for what will become Interview#5. Perhaps I will know by the end of this week where I will begin my career. Now, I've got to set up the pre-screening interview with the district and call the other district which offered me a position I don't want (Interview #2). Onward!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Haute ist mein geburtstag
Having an amazing time ... and I'm now 23! Ddin't get DreamJob, but did line up an interview for another promising position. Will write more about musical adventures when I return to the States within the week!
Saturday, July 05, 2008
A Celebrity Encounter
A few years ago, when I was at AlmaMater, I had the opportunity to sit in a dress rehearsal of a fine orchestra for free, as part of an assignment for one of my courses. The guest conductor (one of the few prominent females in the profession) was fabulous ... and so was the young soloist.
We walked backstage as we left the performance hall, right past the performers. While making my way to the exit, I looked up, right into the eyes of the guest artist. We smiled shyly and I almost gave him (but didn't actually) a thumbs-up sign for playing so splendidly. Instead, we held that eye contact for a few moments, smiling, before I walked out of the backstage area. Almost eye-flirting (too lazy to link the entry here describing this art). :-)
I've seen his CDs in the stores, and I've just now discovered (thanks to a monthly promotional email from a favorite bookstore) that he has authored a memoir. At age 25. Isn't 25 a little young to write a memoir? Maybe not if you're Lang Lang.
We walked backstage as we left the performance hall, right past the performers. While making my way to the exit, I looked up, right into the eyes of the guest artist. We smiled shyly and I almost gave him (but didn't actually) a thumbs-up sign for playing so splendidly. Instead, we held that eye contact for a few moments, smiling, before I walked out of the backstage area. Almost eye-flirting (too lazy to link the entry here describing this art). :-)
I've seen his CDs in the stores, and I've just now discovered (thanks to a monthly promotional email from a favorite bookstore) that he has authored a memoir. At age 25. Isn't 25 a little young to write a memoir? Maybe not if you're Lang Lang.
Happy July!
Summer "Job" #1 was a blast! In addition to the fantastic music-making of this past week, I loved: spending several hours with BestFriend, seeing more of an awesomely grand state, tubing in a river, visiting an amusement park, going on a boat cruise in one city, shopping for fun gifts for friends/family, and getting to know everyone else sharing the adventure with me!
Other news: I got a job offer from Interview #2 (which I don't want, but which might be a handy back-up in case DreamJob and/or similar positions aren't offered), a kind rejection from Interview #3 (which had been falsely advertised and therefore completely undesirable anyway), and an update from Interview #4, aka DreamJob, which let me know that they will be making the decision this upcoming week. I did write them back to let them know about the offer I'd received the day before ... and I've heard nothing. Yes, it's a holiday weekend. So, I'm crossing my fingers since I believe the update is better than nothing. (They would have told me outright if I was no longer being considered, right?)
I leave tomorrow morning for the next summer "job," although this one is not really a job because I paid my own way for this upcoming experience. I'm excited to go abroad again ~ and I do think it's fun that I'll be celebrating my birthday in a certain musical country for the second year in a row. When my plane was taking off from layover city today, I realized it has been exactly one year since I departed on last summer's traveling/studying adventures. Wow. It's funny, but the more time that passes, the harder I find it to believe that I actually backpacked around Europe on my own for that length of time last summer! It's like the memories I have from that amazing adventure actually belong to someone else's life and not my own! It will be quite different this year because I'll be traveling with a HUGE group (and also because Westley's going- yay!), but I am still very much looking forward to this experience!
Other news: I got a job offer from Interview #2 (which I don't want, but which might be a handy back-up in case DreamJob and/or similar positions aren't offered), a kind rejection from Interview #3 (which had been falsely advertised and therefore completely undesirable anyway), and an update from Interview #4, aka DreamJob, which let me know that they will be making the decision this upcoming week. I did write them back to let them know about the offer I'd received the day before ... and I've heard nothing. Yes, it's a holiday weekend. So, I'm crossing my fingers since I believe the update is better than nothing. (They would have told me outright if I was no longer being considered, right?)
I leave tomorrow morning for the next summer "job," although this one is not really a job because I paid my own way for this upcoming experience. I'm excited to go abroad again ~ and I do think it's fun that I'll be celebrating my birthday in a certain musical country for the second year in a row. When my plane was taking off from layover city today, I realized it has been exactly one year since I departed on last summer's traveling/studying adventures. Wow. It's funny, but the more time that passes, the harder I find it to believe that I actually backpacked around Europe on my own for that length of time last summer! It's like the memories I have from that amazing adventure actually belong to someone else's life and not my own! It will be quite different this year because I'll be traveling with a HUGE group (and also because Westley's going- yay!), but I am still very much looking forward to this experience!
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