I realized I forgot to do this last Thursday. I apologize friends, times are hard over here. Times are also awkward. Times are also awesome.
See what I did there? ☺
This will be a condensed post, it's only 2:30 in the afternoon and it's finals week so I can only have so many awkward and awesome moments in a day. Haha
So here you go. Enjoy my...well...life.
Awkward:
Copy machines. Copy machines are awkward. Copy machines are actually more difficult than awesome, but let me finish the story…
So I’ve made copies of music for my professor who is going to London in June, and apparently the musicians over there wanted copies of our music. I made the copies, had them bound nice and pretty, and then another conductor asked me to scan the copies and email them to him. Sounds simple enough…
False. It wasn’t easy. The scanning machine wasn’t working right and I was holding up the line of people needing to make copies, and finally when I got a routine going and it was ALMOST done, it stopped working
So naturally, I started yelling at the copy machine and I kicked it, and in walks in my cute professor.
Did I mention that I was wearing flip-flops?
Ow.
My professor laughed at me and asked if I was doing ok and…I don’t really remember much after that other than my cheeks felt like they were on fire. It was really great.
Note the sarcasm.
Awesome:
After my copying’/scanning dilemma, I was walking back to my car and I was stopped by a guy who asked me a question. I answered him, he said thank you, I said you’re welcome…the usual. But then I smiled and he said:
“Wow, you have such a beautiful smile!”
“Oh, thank you!”
“Wow. It reminds me of heaven!!”
And he turns and walks away.
Um…sir? Where are you going? Come back!!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Words of Wisdom
A wise woman told me this not too long ago. Sometimes I forget and I need to remind myself.
“Alicia, God has given you a beautiful and magical gift. Even more than that He gave you a love for music, and an opportunity to learn about it at school. How dare you think you’re not good enough enough? You are. He gave you these gifts and opportunities. Use them. And how dare you let them go to waste? No. I won't let you.
Go sing something.”
This is the same for any gift God has given us. For some it's writing, speaking, words of encouragement...whatever.
Sometimes I get so caught up in the technique of music and forget that it's something special that God gave me. I get caught up in the politics of everything and start comparing myself to others and I often come back to this conversation and remind myself that I have a gift and that I have no right to think less or myself or say otherwise.
“Alicia, God has given you a beautiful and magical gift. Even more than that He gave you a love for music, and an opportunity to learn about it at school. How dare you think you’re not good enough enough? You are. He gave you these gifts and opportunities. Use them. And how dare you let them go to waste? No. I won't let you.
Go sing something.”
This is the same for any gift God has given us. For some it's writing, speaking, words of encouragement...whatever.
Sometimes I get so caught up in the technique of music and forget that it's something special that God gave me. I get caught up in the politics of everything and start comparing myself to others and I often come back to this conversation and remind myself that I have a gift and that I have no right to think less or myself or say otherwise.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Awkward and Awesome Thursday
Awkward
Picture This: a strings technique class. A fun and rowdy class of young music teacher hopefuls attempting to play a few measures of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful “Swan Lake” opera. A student raises their hand and asks a question about the position of the violin. The professor responds: “Make sure the F-hole is facing out towards the people.”
Unfortunately, the professor wasn’t clear in his articulation, and any variant of the term “F-hole” is bound to be supes. Awk. Supes, people. Supes.
Running (prancing) in front of half the choir to give someone music to borrow in the middle of the first movement of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.
Don’t mind me, boys! I’m just runnin’ in front of ya’ll to give this guy here some music…NOT because I want attention. Please stop looking at me and look at your music or the conductor, k thanks!
Wind + Dress + Parking Lot = …well, you can imagine.
(Side-Note-of-Awkwardness: I looked around, saw nobody and jumped for joy at my luck!...but then as I was driving away I saw two guys in the car next to mine. Awesome.)
Awesome
NAILING choral pieces I haven’t heard/read at all. Looks like this schooling is paying off…or at least I can prove that I learned something. Ha, ha!!
Equally nailing violin pieces that I haven’t looked at. I mean, then I got worse, but then I got better, so that’s all still awesome, right??
The men’s section in Oratorio. Let me tell you all, I swooned. Swooned, people. Is it ok that I have a mini-crush on every male in my choir?
What’s that? Oh yes, I do not care. Cause I do. Heehee
Successfully surviving the day without passing out, falling asleep, or dying. Granted it took 2 venti iced coffees and 2 energy drinks to do it, but gosh darn it I am going to get my work done and I am going to graduate if it is THE last thing I do!!
Picture This: a strings technique class. A fun and rowdy class of young music teacher hopefuls attempting to play a few measures of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful “Swan Lake” opera. A student raises their hand and asks a question about the position of the violin. The professor responds: “Make sure the F-hole is facing out towards the people.”
Unfortunately, the professor wasn’t clear in his articulation, and any variant of the term “F-hole” is bound to be supes. Awk. Supes, people. Supes.
Running (prancing) in front of half the choir to give someone music to borrow in the middle of the first movement of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.
Don’t mind me, boys! I’m just runnin’ in front of ya’ll to give this guy here some music…NOT because I want attention. Please stop looking at me and look at your music or the conductor, k thanks!
Wind + Dress + Parking Lot = …well, you can imagine.
(Side-Note-of-Awkwardness: I looked around, saw nobody and jumped for joy at my luck!...but then as I was driving away I saw two guys in the car next to mine. Awesome.)
Awesome
NAILING choral pieces I haven’t heard/read at all. Looks like this schooling is paying off…or at least I can prove that I learned something. Ha, ha!!
Equally nailing violin pieces that I haven’t looked at. I mean, then I got worse, but then I got better, so that’s all still awesome, right??
The men’s section in Oratorio. Let me tell you all, I swooned. Swooned, people. Is it ok that I have a mini-crush on every male in my choir?
What’s that? Oh yes, I do not care. Cause I do. Heehee
Successfully surviving the day without passing out, falling asleep, or dying. Granted it took 2 venti iced coffees and 2 energy drinks to do it, but gosh darn it I am going to get my work done and I am going to graduate if it is THE last thing I do!!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Awkward and Awesome Thursday
Awkward:
Singing Can't Touch This by myself in the mdidle of my choral conducting class. Alone.
My violin professor catching me cringing at the sound of the entire class by trying to play notes above the E string. It ain't pretty guys. It just ain't pretty.
Singing Happy Birthday to a friend who didn't want people to know it was her birthday. So obviously I thought it would be a great idea to sing it quiet...but it turned into a Marilyn Monroe impersonation (which was pretty spot on if I do say so myself...) and guess what. My choir director was sitting only a few seats away and definitely heard the whole thing.
My choral conductor seeing my huge sloppy grin when the men's section came back from sectionals and SLAYED a really difficult piece! Oh man. I was blushing.
The same professor decided to comment on my huge sloppy smile and tell the men it's a shame that they couldn't see all the girls smiling.
Awesome:
http://youtu.be/oOlDewpCfZQ (I apologize for the language. I promise it's minimal).
Slaying the violin in class today.
Hearing my choir sing the piece we've been working on after all the hard work we've all put into it. It was epic!
Getting that oh-so special email from chapel programs: "With 100% chance of rain tomorrow morning, we have decided to CANCEL this chapel." I knew I loved Living Spaces chapel...
Blowing bubbles with this:
Singing Can't Touch This by myself in the mdidle of my choral conducting class. Alone.
My violin professor catching me cringing at the sound of the entire class by trying to play notes above the E string. It ain't pretty guys. It just ain't pretty.
Singing Happy Birthday to a friend who didn't want people to know it was her birthday. So obviously I thought it would be a great idea to sing it quiet...but it turned into a Marilyn Monroe impersonation (which was pretty spot on if I do say so myself...) and guess what. My choir director was sitting only a few seats away and definitely heard the whole thing.
My choral conductor seeing my huge sloppy grin when the men's section came back from sectionals and SLAYED a really difficult piece! Oh man. I was blushing.
The same professor decided to comment on my huge sloppy smile and tell the men it's a shame that they couldn't see all the girls smiling.
Awesome:
http://youtu.be/oOlDewpCfZQ (I apologize for the language. I promise it's minimal).
Slaying the violin in class today.
Hearing my choir sing the piece we've been working on after all the hard work we've all put into it. It was epic!
Getting that oh-so special email from chapel programs: "With 100% chance of rain tomorrow morning, we have decided to CANCEL this chapel." I knew I loved Living Spaces chapel...
Blowing bubbles with this:
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Spring Break (Woo Hoo!!!)
Senior Year Spring Break Expectation:
Cute boys
Beach
Sunshine
Swimming
Cute boys
Fruity drinks
Cute boys
Giggling
Yummy food
Did I mention cute boys?
This was what I always expected my senior year spring break (woo-hoo!) to be like. But it was nothing like that at all. I’m not saying it was bad, just not what I expected.
My spring break was full of coffee, packing, studying, having awkward encounters with Starbucks baristas, playing piano and singing in the sanctuary, and getting lunch with my mom.
Lucky for me, I love doing all these things (minus the awkward encounters, but I’m learning to live with that…).
My break wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but it’s ok. Honestly, I can’t complain about only having an “ok” spring break on Easter. I didn’t give up my son, watch him be tortured, and die on a cross for everyone’s sins. Really, Good Friday put everything into perspective.
After reflecting about break I realized that:
There were cute boys around once in awhile
I talked about the beach so much I felt like I was practically there!
The weather was great
I saw The Lorax, and there were people swimming (does that count?)
I had a fruit drink this morning for breakfast
I giggled a lot. Whether that be at myself for singing aloud in Starbucks or at the little kids comments during The Lorax, or at my high schoolers for just being awesome…
I went to Taco Tuesday at Casa Orozco, went to Demitri’s, the best Greek place ever, Ale House, In-n-out, AND Cheesecake Factory.
It wasn’t what I expected, but I wouldn’t change it. ☺
Cute boys
Beach
Sunshine
Swimming
Cute boys
Fruity drinks
Cute boys
Giggling
Yummy food
Did I mention cute boys?
This was what I always expected my senior year spring break (woo-hoo!) to be like. But it was nothing like that at all. I’m not saying it was bad, just not what I expected.
My spring break was full of coffee, packing, studying, having awkward encounters with Starbucks baristas, playing piano and singing in the sanctuary, and getting lunch with my mom.
Lucky for me, I love doing all these things (minus the awkward encounters, but I’m learning to live with that…).
My break wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but it’s ok. Honestly, I can’t complain about only having an “ok” spring break on Easter. I didn’t give up my son, watch him be tortured, and die on a cross for everyone’s sins. Really, Good Friday put everything into perspective.
After reflecting about break I realized that:
There were cute boys around once in awhile
I talked about the beach so much I felt like I was practically there!
The weather was great
I saw The Lorax, and there were people swimming (does that count?)
I had a fruit drink this morning for breakfast
I giggled a lot. Whether that be at myself for singing aloud in Starbucks or at the little kids comments during The Lorax, or at my high schoolers for just being awesome…
I went to Taco Tuesday at Casa Orozco, went to Demitri’s, the best Greek place ever, Ale House, In-n-out, AND Cheesecake Factory.
It wasn’t what I expected, but I wouldn’t change it. ☺
Friday, February 24, 2012
Five Socially Acceptable Things Amongst Music Majors
1. Coffee/Energy drinks constitute as a meal.
There is no time to eat. No time.
If you're like me, then you wake up in the morning, and whatever time you allowed yourself for breakfast is swapped for just 10 more minutes of precious sleep. Precious, I tell you.
2. Naps = a good nights sleep
Sleep is a rare commodity. Between the 18 units, 10 classes, jobs, study time, practice time, and gigs, it is often that we get no sleep. But that's ok. We can sleep when we're dead, right?
Raise your hand if you've ever fallen asleep on a piano in the practice rooms...yep. Thought so. It's ok. We've all been there. See #1.
3. Social Life? What?
Social...life? Did I type that correctly? I'm sorry. I don't understand what that is.
What? You're saying other people go home after class?? What about their rehearsals and hours and hours of practicing, arranging, composing, and studying?!
What is this witchcraft you speak of?!?!
4. Playing/Singing loudly
I'm sorry, did you need to be able to hear? Well I'm so sorry, but I have to have this HUGE Mozart piece memorized by this afternoon so don't mind me, I'm just going to sit here in a public place surrounded by tons of people and practice.
5. Avoiding Those who are Sick Like the Plague
"Oh my gosh, are you sick??...oooooh, ok....."
**moves across the room**
We can't afford to be sick. And honestly, if one of us gets sick, we all get sick. And if you're playing gigs every weekend, you just really can't be sick. Sorry. So don't be offended if we ostracize you. It's not personal. It's just your body is a blob of toxic-ness waiting to overtake our bodies and prevent us from doing anything.
I'm sorry, was that dramatic? Ok. Don't mind me, I'm just going to sit at the other desk...literally across the room...
There is no time to eat. No time.
If you're like me, then you wake up in the morning, and whatever time you allowed yourself for breakfast is swapped for just 10 more minutes of precious sleep. Precious, I tell you.
2. Naps = a good nights sleep
Sleep is a rare commodity. Between the 18 units, 10 classes, jobs, study time, practice time, and gigs, it is often that we get no sleep. But that's ok. We can sleep when we're dead, right?
Raise your hand if you've ever fallen asleep on a piano in the practice rooms...yep. Thought so. It's ok. We've all been there. See #1.
3. Social Life? What?
Social...life? Did I type that correctly? I'm sorry. I don't understand what that is.
What? You're saying other people go home after class?? What about their rehearsals and hours and hours of practicing, arranging, composing, and studying?!
What is this witchcraft you speak of?!?!
4. Playing/Singing loudly
I'm sorry, did you need to be able to hear? Well I'm so sorry, but I have to have this HUGE Mozart piece memorized by this afternoon so don't mind me, I'm just going to sit here in a public place surrounded by tons of people and practice.
5. Avoiding Those who are Sick Like the Plague
"Oh my gosh, are you sick??...oooooh, ok....."
**moves across the room**
We can't afford to be sick. And honestly, if one of us gets sick, we all get sick. And if you're playing gigs every weekend, you just really can't be sick. Sorry. So don't be offended if we ostracize you. It's not personal. It's just your body is a blob of toxic-ness waiting to overtake our bodies and prevent us from doing anything.
I'm sorry, was that dramatic? Ok. Don't mind me, I'm just going to sit at the other desk...literally across the room...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Stereotypes
I'm a music major. And if you didn't know that, then...well...get glasses.
I had choir today, and the conductor needed to get a husky tone from the sopranos, and it just wasn't happening. He mentioned that if he were asking the altos, this wouldn't be a problem which prompted me to think:
1. Ouch. That's harsh for the sopranos! And
2. Haha...yeah...
Which got me to think about choral stereotypes, which inspired me to share these stereotypes with you.
Side Note: Stereotypes ALWAYS have exceptions. Always. I am friends with many of these exceptions.
Sopranos:
Dainty. Self-obsessed. Divas. High-strung. Know-it-all-but-really-doesn't. Loud. Annoying.
Altos:
Relaxed. Smart. Easy-going. Actually-knows-what-they're-doing. Tomboy. The "cool" ones.
Tenors:
The "pretty-boy". Diva. Preppy. Know-it-all-and-usually-does. Thinks-they-are-God's-gift-to-women.
Basses:
The "manly-man". Relaxed. Funny. The-ones-who-don't-want-to-be-in-choir.
There you go. Now if you join a choir you'll know what/who to look out for. :)
I had choir today, and the conductor needed to get a husky tone from the sopranos, and it just wasn't happening. He mentioned that if he were asking the altos, this wouldn't be a problem which prompted me to think:
1. Ouch. That's harsh for the sopranos! And
2. Haha...yeah...
Which got me to think about choral stereotypes, which inspired me to share these stereotypes with you.
Side Note: Stereotypes ALWAYS have exceptions. Always. I am friends with many of these exceptions.
Sopranos:
Dainty. Self-obsessed. Divas. High-strung. Know-it-all-but-really-doesn't. Loud. Annoying.
Altos:
Relaxed. Smart. Easy-going. Actually-knows-what-they're-doing. Tomboy. The "cool" ones.
Tenors:
The "pretty-boy". Diva. Preppy. Know-it-all-and-usually-does. Thinks-they-are-God's-gift-to-women.
Basses:
The "manly-man". Relaxed. Funny. The-ones-who-don't-want-to-be-in-choir.
There you go. Now if you join a choir you'll know what/who to look out for. :)
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