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