The End of the Singing Season

I finished up my holiday concerts this weekend with two performances for our National Philharmonic Singers group. We performed with the Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet last night and this afternoon.

It was nice to be able to sing in a chamber group at Christmas time so that I could sing something other than The Messiah. It's just nice to have some variety. One of my favorite parts of the concert was when the quintet performed "Go Tell it on the Mountain." It was so lively and inspiring that I had to make a huge effort to sit still.  My other favorite part was when we did a sing-along of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." One of our directors leads the sing-along. She has half the audience stand up on the odd days and the other half stand up on the even days.  It's hilarious to watch!

I was reminded last night at our concert's after-party that I'm not very good at socializing in a non-LDS setting.  I feel like when I'm not drinking alcohol like everyone else seems to be, that I'm creating a social barrier. It's weird though because I know I'm not the only one who doesn't drink and it's not always because of religion that people abstain. I tried to explain to my new friend in the group that it feels like I'm watching a spectator sport by watching people drink. He didn't really understand and said something about not judging me for abstaining. Would it be weird to set a goal to be less awkward around people in social settings? I feel like it's a game I've been losing. Hanging out with a two and four-year-old several nights a week isn't earning me any points either.

Just in case you thought I forgot, here are pictures from my parents' visit. I managed to stay out of every photo...muahahaha!

New York Public Library

Rockefeller Center

Cartier on 5th Ave

5th Ave snowflake :)

beck

Sleepy Post

I dropped my 'rents off at the Dulles airport this morning.  Somehow going to bed at midnight and waking up at 4:45 am this morning was the most sleep I got in one night while they were here.  We set up a rigorous weekend schedule, including a day trip to New York. Seriously, my parents and I ran around like we were all kids--except that they're over twice my age. So I'm exhausted.

But some really good things came out of this weekend. I shall list them here and possibly post pictures later in the week.

1. Ate at my favorite French restaurant in DC, La Bergerie. Found out from the owner that they're opening a new restaurant with a younger, green, organic vibe
2. Saw Memphis the Musical on Broadway. Saw Adam Pascal live. Such a great show.
3. We were blessed to stay at my friend's apartment in NYC since she was out of town. Saved $300 plus on a hotel for the night. So grateful.
4. Sang the Messiah with the National Philharmonic Chorale. I knew it so much better this time around.
5. Sang an original composition by Perla Antoniak in our ward's Sacrament Christmas program.
6. Ate at Morton's the Steakhouse. Loved the brussel sprouts. I think brussel sprouts are having a comeback right now. I see them on menus everywhere.
7. Finished another book. Only six more to go for my goal of 50 books this year. Woot!
8. Ate a hot dog from a street vendor in NYC. Delicious.

C'es tout.

beck

Five for All Forever!!!

G, the boy I babysit, has a little blankie-bear named Bebe.  Bebe just celebrated his fifth birthday. G insists that unlike the rest of us mere mortals, Bebe will stay five forever.  I wish I could stay 25 forever.  Time is slipping through my fingers all the time.

There have been a few instances lately where I've read someone's bucket list or heard someone tell something they've always wanted to do and I've thought "Shwew, I've done that." I have enough items on my to-do lists; I don't need inspiration from others to add on to my own.  By the way, I think most peoples' lifelong dreams have to do with Europe, landmarks or art.

I've still got a lot of living to do. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I'm working, babysitting, singing...and reading. I read FOUR books in this last week. Two of which I read yesterday. Yes, it's true. And so every time I call my mom the first thing she says is "Stop reading!" Then she says "Find a husband." My two greatest challenges.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, some of the decent photos from my brother's wedding two weeks ago.

beck

Happy Halloween!

I had the mermaid hair this year...so I found a mermaid costume that I loved!

beck

Memphis

I'm being irresponsible right now.  I just discovered Memphis: the Musical on Netflix. It's a filmed version of the Broadway show. I couldn't help it; I had to watch it! I just finished the first half and I'm going to try to control myself and turn it off.  Especially since I've been bawling through most of it.

Some of my friends think of me as a Broadway fanatic. Let me lay down my position. There are some musicals that I know and love. I have favorite actors and actresses. I have favorite songs. This is more than most people can say, but that doesn't put me anywhere near my idea of a fanatic. Perhaps the fact that I was moved to tears by a Broadway show puts me more towards the fanatic side of the scale, but I'm still no where near it.  But anyway, I'm not ashamed. Music and drama move me.  Bah, I love it.

beck

Probly Should Have Told You All Along

My spirits are high after a weekend filled with beautiful fall weather.  I spent all of Saturday down in the District--first going to Sis U, then to Taste of Georgetown and a grand finish with babysitting.  Well, I skipped over the best part. After Taste of Georgetown and before babysitting, I meandered around the Georgetown Waterfront, walking to the Kennedy Center and back.  Just feeling the sensations of warm sunshine and cool, breezy winds.

Today, I can't get Andy Brown's "Ashes" out of my head. It was featured in one of the more romantic and fan-pleasing episodes of Rookie Blue. 


I hope you're enjoying life and embracing every moment.

beck

The Gospel Truth

I loved this quote by President Joseph F. Smith, which Elder Oaks referenced during his CES Fireside address last week. It makes me love my Church even more. 


Joseph F. Smith: “We believe in all truth, no matter to what subject it may refer.  No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject.  We are willing to receive all truth, from whatever source it may come; for truth will stand, truth will endure.” [Gospel Doctrine, Deseret Book, 1939, p. 1.]

I have some mediocre pictures from my birthday celebration, featuring 25 flavors. I'm a little wiped out today after 30 hours straight of babysitting G & W, but I feel the need to document via blog.

The dinner spread. I love pizza. 

My favorite flavor: vanilla, vanilla. The birthday cupcake has fruity sprinkles on it. :)

This was not from the birthday celebration, but it was on my camera so I threw it in. My ward organized a Potomac River Cruise this last weekend. They rented out a whole boat.  Robin moved out here recently so we were able to go together.  

beck

Stable Hemlines!

This NYT article was so inspiring to me.  The consistently featured length for S/S 2012 is long enough to not worry about garments showing but it can be, as the article states, disarmingly sexy. 

http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/trendspotting-a-stable-hemline/


I want to go buy a slew of dresses and skirts. One thing I learned from my clothing fast last year was that it's not worth it to have items in your wardrobe that don't fit quite right. This goes for dresses/shirts that are too short. It's not worth the tugging, slipping and constant fear that someone can see your white garments peaking out. I look forward to the seasons when fashion gives us modest LDS women a break.


beck

My Happy Bee-day

It was such a good day and I feel so happy.

I decided to postpone the party stuff until this weekend due to Irene last week. 25 flavors of cake are coming soon...

I really felt the love today. Birthdays are a nice reminder of all the friends and loved ones in your life.   I felt the love through a birthday lunch, leaving early from work, taking a nap, eating cookie bars, cupcakes and fro yo, singing in choir, and of course messages from my friends and family. I am a happy bee.

beck

My roommate is so cool

My roommate Melanie threw an awesome party on Saturday. It was a Mustache Bash.

It was loads of fun.  The sensation of wearing a mustache, or perhaps a reaction to the adhesive, made my lip twitch all night long. 

Um, remind me never to grow a mustache. Also, please remind me to not go bug-eyed in every picture I take.

beck

I had a new group come into town this weekend. Don't worry, we went to Busboys and Poets for lunch. It was delicious. Andy, the owner, talked to this group just like he did when my last group went there for lunch. But this time was different. This time was inspiring even for me. This was a group looking at the topic of "social change through the arts." Andy is an artist himself. His insights were deeply connected to the stated interests of the group. I couldn't have planned it better myself.  Actually, I got so distracted by the interactions that I forgot I was supposed to leave to get more coffee to refresh our meeting room.

Today I realized this could be one of my last projects I'll work on for the IVLP.  I'm seriously considering applying for the position opening up at work, which means I won't have to go through the stress of another opening day like today. I would explain the frustrating things that happened today, but it will only sound like complaining.  Complaining is not interesting nor inspiring, so I'd rather not dwell on it.

I went to the Nats game tonight--seats in row H. I could see Ryan Zimmerman's face. Oh so hot. It's probably a good thing that there's space between us.

I'm thinking of having a birthday shindig this weekend. I want it to involve pizza, because pizza is always a favorite food of mine. I would also like it to involve dancing or doing something active. I just haven't found the right fit yet for an activity. For some reason guys are shying away from dancing. Weird. Lastly, since I'm turning 25, I want 25 flavors of birthday cake. Maybe it's too much to ask, or too much to commit to, but I'm seriously considering it.

beck

“there is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. the world will not have it. it is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. it is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. you do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. you have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. keep the channel open. ... no artist is pleased. [there is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. there is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

martha graham

beck

I've been "working" a lot

By choice, I've been babysitting a lot lately.  I feel like it makes for a long work week, but when I add up the hours, I barely break 50 hours.  I don't know how people could ever work 60 or more hours a week. I'm exhausted.  

There are two things that keep me babysitting: the kids and the money. The kids, G&W, are adorable and energetic. They let me play with them. They love to scare me with crocodile toys.  The pay is good enough that I look forward to the extra spending money.  Funny that I most often see it as spending money rather than money to save.

After a long day at work, and then a long night of babysitting, I wish I had some reason for it all. I wish I had something to look forward to. I want to say: "It will all be worth it when__(fill in the blank)_," or "All that hard work and those exhausting days will have paid off once I __(insert dream job here)__."

There's a position opening up soon in my division, which will be a promotion.  I think I can do the job and it would be nice to earn more. The trouble is I don't think it will help me in figuring out what the "all roads lead to this" kind of job I want. Maybe that kind of job won't exist for me. Either way, it makes it really hard to envision what I should be doing.

This weekend should be fun.  Little Italy in Baltimore, DC Beautification Day, Mustache Party...Have a great weekend!

beck

Bryan's Home!!!

And he's already engaged.  He arrived at the Fresno airport on Wednesday, June 29.  A few weeks later on Thursday, July 21, he proposed to his girlfriend.  It was the opening night of the show he was in, Hello Dolly! They're getting married in November.  He's my younger brother and he's always been much more astute at dating and relationships.

My brother and sister-in-law surprised our family and flew out for Bryan's homecoming. It was the first time we were all together since long before Bryan's mission.  We were able to take some family photos, which I can't post yet.

It's so great that Bryan's home and so great that we were all there for it.

Me and Bryan!!!

Me, my sister and her little boy Luke

Mommy and Luke...just hanging out

My sisters, my cousins, and Serenity. Anginae has been rocking the mermaid mane with me lately. 

Serenity posing with the banner

Showing off the Texas apparel

These are the presents coming with me to Kentucky this weekend.  One for Rachel's Sweet Sixteen and one for my sweet niece Abigail.  

beck

Can't Wait 'til Christmas

I saw the X-Men Origins movie about a month ago.  Dama and I got there on time, which is my favorite thing because I love seeing the trailers for new movies. It's just one of the many reasons I love seeing movies in the theater.

This trailer got me the most excited by far. I think Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist is perfect. I loved the books and I hope I'll love the movies.



On the subject of movies...I saw Harry Potter 7: Part 2 in IMAX 3D, which is probably the best way to see it.  I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan, but I enjoyed the books and I like the movies. This was my favorite of all the movies.  It was well done and felt like a good finish.

The only other movie that I feel like I'm dying to see this summer is Winnie the Pooh. Maybe it's a sign that I've been babysitting too much. The family I babysit for had their third little one a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say they've been in greater need for an extra hand.

beck

Bryan's coming home in two days!!!

I'm flying home in two days to be there when Bryan arrives. The whole weekend is planned with fun family activities. Take a look at our what fun means for our family. I can't even wait...except I have 10 hours of IIE work, at least 3 hours of babysitting, laundry, dry cleaning, packing and getting my truck fixed before I leave on Wednesday.  Good times.

beck

Balimer

I spent the last few days in Baltimore for work.  Everyone else calls it Baltimore, but the locals call it "Balimer." And instead of water they say "wooter." It's funny.

Baltimore is called Charm City. I always thought of it as scary city. During this work trip I was able to pay more attention to the history and the food, so now I can definitely see the charm.  Actually, I am kind of thinking that I'd love to live there.  Baltimore, Chicago or Providence are on my list for the next best place to live.

Since I was going to be in Baltimore anyway, I bought tickets with my roommate to see the U2 concert.  I was soooo excited because Florence + the Machine was opening.  Sadly, due to poor planning, when the concert started I was stuck outside waiting for my roommate to arrive with the tickets.  We missed all but one song by Florence.  U2 was fun but I'm still pretty upset about missing Florence.

Come visit me and we'll definitely go to Baltimore.  It's my new favorite place.

Here are a few pics and videos for your viewing pleasure.  

Crab chair carved in Indonesia

Special tour of the Phillips Food plant. So cool. Yummy crab cakes. 

Cupola at City Hall. 

Tile under the cupola at City Hall. 

View of the Inner Harbor from the Top of the World at the Baltimore World Trade Center. 

The aquarium? I still haven't been there.  

Ah...Florence. 

I'm glistening from the humidity and I'm wearing my new concert t-shirt in this pic. 

An ad for the concert.  So fun. 

beck