Well, school isn't quite out for summer, but the students' brains are already on summer vacation, and I know I am looking forward to the summer break! Killian is going to take some classes at the Rose Theatre in Omaha, and he is very excited. I am hoping to become a member at the Omaha Children's Museum, which will provide lots of great family time. Also, thanks to the kids' dad, we have a zoo pass that we mutually share, and I am definitely grateful for. I'm trying to figure out where Killian should take swimming lessons because he never has before.
It seems like now that he is four, the world has been opened to him. So many activities start at this age, which makes it difficult not to over-schedule him. I'm hoping that I can offer him opportunities without pushing him to do too much. How do we, as parents, offer these opportunities without pushing our own interests and still encouraging things that we may not be interested in? That's a balance I'm trying to figure out.
Tangentially, I have come to accept the fact that I am a control freak and am now attempting to remedy this situation. I am going to try to become more spontaneous. Planning is sometimes required, as I need to plan childcare if I have my kids and need to go do something, but this summer, I'm going to try to "let it roll." I hope to live in the moment and to let go of what I can't change.
Ultimately, things are still really great in my life. The house will be officially leased in another week, which is a little scary, just because I still have a lot of crap to move, and I'm still jazzing my ass off. Summer is almost here and I can just feel good things coming my way.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
You are my inspiration... Opera
Hopefully someone will find the allusion to "Pillow Talk" for the title of this blog entry amusing...but at least I know that I amuse myself! :-)
Yesterday was a fabulous day, and I continue to be inspired to pursue a better life for myself. I led a few choirs as a part of a job interview, then I traveled to Indianola to have a vocal lesson with the ever-talented Bruce Brown. Voice lessons are like therapy for me. I love to sing, feel reconnected to my voice, and remember that I am more than just someone's mom or someone's teacher...I'm a big, ol' diva soprano. :-)
Driving always clears my head, and sometimes I come up with my best ideas while I make the two and a half hour drive to or home from Indianola. I have decided that since I am 28 years old, and not getting younger, it is time to throw some talent at the wall and see if it sticks. I'm going to put together my audition package (5 arias) and audition for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in the fall. A singer is only allowed to audition until the year she turns 30, and I will turn 29 in this audition year. I have come to the realization that regardless of my current location or life circumstances, I still have a tremendous desire to perform, to better myself as a performer, and to know that I did not pass up an opportunity to pursue a career in what I truly love. I feel alive when I sing. I want to be the kind of parent who shows her children that, regardless of what the circumstances may be, it always pays to pursue your dreams. It maybe incredibly challenging, and it may not all work out, but I will know I truly tried.
With all of that in mind, I am on a mission. I need new head shots, new repertoire, an accompanist, a vocal coach that is located closer to me, and many other things. I will conquer each part of that, one step at a time, and by this time next year, you may be looking at the winner of the Met auditions...who knows?! :-)
Yesterday was a fabulous day, and I continue to be inspired to pursue a better life for myself. I led a few choirs as a part of a job interview, then I traveled to Indianola to have a vocal lesson with the ever-talented Bruce Brown. Voice lessons are like therapy for me. I love to sing, feel reconnected to my voice, and remember that I am more than just someone's mom or someone's teacher...I'm a big, ol' diva soprano. :-)
Driving always clears my head, and sometimes I come up with my best ideas while I make the two and a half hour drive to or home from Indianola. I have decided that since I am 28 years old, and not getting younger, it is time to throw some talent at the wall and see if it sticks. I'm going to put together my audition package (5 arias) and audition for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in the fall. A singer is only allowed to audition until the year she turns 30, and I will turn 29 in this audition year. I have come to the realization that regardless of my current location or life circumstances, I still have a tremendous desire to perform, to better myself as a performer, and to know that I did not pass up an opportunity to pursue a career in what I truly love. I feel alive when I sing. I want to be the kind of parent who shows her children that, regardless of what the circumstances may be, it always pays to pursue your dreams. It maybe incredibly challenging, and it may not all work out, but I will know I truly tried.
With all of that in mind, I am on a mission. I need new head shots, new repertoire, an accompanist, a vocal coach that is located closer to me, and many other things. I will conquer each part of that, one step at a time, and by this time next year, you may be looking at the winner of the Met auditions...who knows?! :-)
Friday, April 13, 2012
Comes a train of little ladies...
This weekend marks the opening and closing of The Mikado at Opera Omaha. Again, I have been fortunate enough to be hired for the chorus, and I take every opportunity I'm given in stride. During times like these, I reflect on my life and think about the "what if's" and "could have been's," and I see that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Had I not made some of the distinct choices I have made in my life, some of the most wonderful things that have ever happened to me (namely my children) would not be in existence.
As always happens when I'm in an opera, I have felt a new sense of life and a desire to work on my music. Although I am currently pursuing a career in teaching, I still get inspired to work on new music and perform. I hope to be working for a school district in the fall, and then perhaps I could put together a faculty recital. Regardless, I have picked several new pieces to work up and put together a new audition package, which at least gives me something to work toward.
Whenever I am working on new music, it always makes me miss my dear friend (and amazing accompanist) Becky. It was devastating, not only to me, but to our entire community, when she lost her battle to cancer, and I miss her terribly, especially when I'm working on new music.
Overall, I'm fairly inspired, glad that it is finally spring, and hoping that good things will continue to come my way.
As always happens when I'm in an opera, I have felt a new sense of life and a desire to work on my music. Although I am currently pursuing a career in teaching, I still get inspired to work on new music and perform. I hope to be working for a school district in the fall, and then perhaps I could put together a faculty recital. Regardless, I have picked several new pieces to work up and put together a new audition package, which at least gives me something to work toward.
Whenever I am working on new music, it always makes me miss my dear friend (and amazing accompanist) Becky. It was devastating, not only to me, but to our entire community, when she lost her battle to cancer, and I miss her terribly, especially when I'm working on new music.
Overall, I'm fairly inspired, glad that it is finally spring, and hoping that good things will continue to come my way.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Spring has Sprung
After a particularly mild winter, we are already full on into spring. The beauty of living in Iowa is you never quite know what you will get as far as the weather goes. Seasons change from year to year, and it is always a surprise. Now that we live across from a park, we love to spend time outside. I can't wait for summer!
The downside to the weather is that the kids get a little stir crazy. Some days I am very frustrated as a parent because all I want to do is fold the laundry without someone tipping over a finished pile. If I were in a two-person parenting situation, there might be someone to distract the kids so I could get some housework done. However, in my experience, there wasn't really that help... so I suppose I will just keep my standard of living as "survive" and keep moving forward.
I am very ready to be dating. I don't want to rush into anything or marry anybody, but I think it is about time that I had somebody buy me dinner. :-) I hope that the spring will send someone my way.
The downside to the weather is that the kids get a little stir crazy. Some days I am very frustrated as a parent because all I want to do is fold the laundry without someone tipping over a finished pile. If I were in a two-person parenting situation, there might be someone to distract the kids so I could get some housework done. However, in my experience, there wasn't really that help... so I suppose I will just keep my standard of living as "survive" and keep moving forward.
I am very ready to be dating. I don't want to rush into anything or marry anybody, but I think it is about time that I had somebody buy me dinner. :-) I hope that the spring will send someone my way.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Weekends with Babies
What an outstanding long weekend! Killian, Fiona, and I spent the time off from school playing, laughing, singing, and having a great time! St. Patrick's day was this weekend, and we had "turkey tacos" (as the kids call them), which is a spinach wrap with turkey, cheese, and cucumbers. We played at the park together. We sang songs and danced around. Overall, it was a much needed time together, as rehearsals for the opera are starting and my evenings will belong to that very soon.
So... I'm in love with pinterest! I "pin" all kinds of great stuff and feel like I've accomplished something, or at least plan to accomplish something... My current obsessions are teaching about nutrition, finding good projects to do with the kids this summer, and organizing my life. I am hoping that with this new found idea organization system, I may actually follow through on a few things.
My current challenge is eating right. I'm trying to do better, and I don't eat as much crap, but I just LOVE food! I work out 4 hours per week instructing jazzercise, I stay within my points for Weight Watchers, and I still have only lost one pound in 3 weeks. I guess a loss is better than a gain, though, so I will have to take it as a victory.
A discovery I made this weekend was the deliciousness that is kale chips. So easy to make and so tasty! I sprayed a baking sheet with olive oil, spread the torn up kale on the sheet, sprayed the kale, salted it, and popped it in the oven at about 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, moving the kale occasionally so it would crisp evenly. DELICIOUS! I highly recommend it.
Overall, it has been a fairly unproductive week. I'm back on the cheer leading train, with tryout practices and getting ready to select next year's squad. Let's go Knights!
So... I'm in love with pinterest! I "pin" all kinds of great stuff and feel like I've accomplished something, or at least plan to accomplish something... My current obsessions are teaching about nutrition, finding good projects to do with the kids this summer, and organizing my life. I am hoping that with this new found idea organization system, I may actually follow through on a few things.
My current challenge is eating right. I'm trying to do better, and I don't eat as much crap, but I just LOVE food! I work out 4 hours per week instructing jazzercise, I stay within my points for Weight Watchers, and I still have only lost one pound in 3 weeks. I guess a loss is better than a gain, though, so I will have to take it as a victory.
A discovery I made this weekend was the deliciousness that is kale chips. So easy to make and so tasty! I sprayed a baking sheet with olive oil, spread the torn up kale on the sheet, sprayed the kale, salted it, and popped it in the oven at about 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, moving the kale occasionally so it would crisp evenly. DELICIOUS! I highly recommend it.
Overall, it has been a fairly unproductive week. I'm back on the cheer leading train, with tryout practices and getting ready to select next year's squad. Let's go Knights!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
And so it begins...
March 14, 2012
Pi Day
Well, I suppose today is as good of a day as any to begin to document my life. These are for my children and those who should learn lessons from what I have already endured, and for the day that comes when I can't remember anything and am old and senile (which may be sooner rather than later).
I'm going to start with back story and try to catch up to the present. I'm certain this is the abridged version, but as time passes, things that have happened will certainly come up again and, as I have a tendency to do, I will repeat myself more than once. I get that from my mother, who loves to tell the same stories over and over again. (Love you, Mom!)
Here is a recap of the last few years...
* October 28, 2006 - Married
* January 8, 2008 - Killian was born
* September 30, 2009 - Fiona was born
* April 25, 2011 - Divorced
* March 14, 2012 - The first day I realized I probably should write a book. :-)
So, ultimately, the lesson learned over the last few years has been marriage is a challenge, and it is even more challenging when you're the only one in it. Also, the smoking age is 18, the drinking age is 21, and the marriage should be 25...at least! In addition, I have learned that God has a plan for everything, so go ahead and throw up your hands. Once you start letting go of your plans and giving into His, life is much less stressful and makes more sense.
Another discovery that I have recently made is the magic that is "Pinterest." I just started on Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago, and this site is full of great ideas for everything that I might ever want to do: crafts/activities for the kids, books to read, fashion, and, of course, FOOD! I am making it my personal mission to change the culture of my area by educating youth and families about the benefits of healthy living, including exercise (at least to get up and move) and eating healthy.
Ultimately, I hope to capture my life's lessons along with some anecdotes that help me survive. If you can't see the humor in life, you will never have laugh lines, but you'll never have friends either...and you may just end up slashing your thighs in the bathtub.
Pi Day
Well, I suppose today is as good of a day as any to begin to document my life. These are for my children and those who should learn lessons from what I have already endured, and for the day that comes when I can't remember anything and am old and senile (which may be sooner rather than later).
I'm going to start with back story and try to catch up to the present. I'm certain this is the abridged version, but as time passes, things that have happened will certainly come up again and, as I have a tendency to do, I will repeat myself more than once. I get that from my mother, who loves to tell the same stories over and over again. (Love you, Mom!)
Here is a recap of the last few years...
* October 28, 2006 - Married
* January 8, 2008 - Killian was born
* September 30, 2009 - Fiona was born
* April 25, 2011 - Divorced
* March 14, 2012 - The first day I realized I probably should write a book. :-)
So, ultimately, the lesson learned over the last few years has been marriage is a challenge, and it is even more challenging when you're the only one in it. Also, the smoking age is 18, the drinking age is 21, and the marriage should be 25...at least! In addition, I have learned that God has a plan for everything, so go ahead and throw up your hands. Once you start letting go of your plans and giving into His, life is much less stressful and makes more sense.
Another discovery that I have recently made is the magic that is "Pinterest." I just started on Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago, and this site is full of great ideas for everything that I might ever want to do: crafts/activities for the kids, books to read, fashion, and, of course, FOOD! I am making it my personal mission to change the culture of my area by educating youth and families about the benefits of healthy living, including exercise (at least to get up and move) and eating healthy.
Ultimately, I hope to capture my life's lessons along with some anecdotes that help me survive. If you can't see the humor in life, you will never have laugh lines, but you'll never have friends either...and you may just end up slashing your thighs in the bathtub.
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