Thursday, September 24, 2009

Things I do instead of homework...

[tunes]: None, currently, though I did just get finished with watching the latest episode of Glee.



I should be writing my reaction paper on accidents as one of the top eight causes of death, but I've been avoiding it all evening. I think I'll start it after this, since it is due tomorrow at noon. So far, I've just been messing around facebook and twitter and such, and watching Glee, of course. This last episode, I think, is the best one yet, and I'm including last week's episode with Josh Groban in it, which was VERY hilarious. I was trying so hard not to laugh out loud in the library while watching it and there was a moment where I nearly cried. If you haven't started watching Glee yet, I highly suggest hopping over to Hulu.com and catching up because it is worth it. I won't spoil anything for you, but I want to make a mention of Mike O'Malley's performance as Kurt's dad. I thought he did a wonderful job, as he always seems to do. You might recognize him from all the Time Warner Cable commercials or from the TV show "Yes, Dear." (For you 90s kids, he was the host of "Global Guts." lol.) I should probably confess that part of the reason I think he's awesome is because I had his aunt as a Music Theatre teacher and she was AWESOME. But enough about that...

Tomorrow I've been invited over to my cousin's for their pizza and a movie night, which I am quite excited for. The main reason for going is that Erin is going to help me find a couple more songs for my audition on the 22nd, for which I will be eternally grateful. I have such an awesome family. I really do. I'm also going to enjoy getting to hang out with them all, especially Maura and Sammy. They are so adorable. Sam, of course, wants to watch The Bee Movie, which I haven't seen, but who knows what we'll actually see. I haven't seen Cars yet, either, so maybe we'll watch that. Those are the only two movies I ever hear about from him, so I don't know what else they have. lol.

Well, I think that's it for now. I'm kind of excited for tomorrow, so maybe if I finish this reaction paper I'm feeling less than excited about it'll come sooner. We'll see.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Memorization Nation

[tunes]: Dreams - Sephira



Hey, all! Hope all (one) of you are doing well. I'm not doing too bad. I'm certainly not freaking about my life plan as much anymore. Instead, I've got the audition for the Music Department to worry about. Just when I think everything is fine and dandy. lol. Turns out, for Music - Performance majors, you have to memorize 4 different songs, one of which has to be Italian. When I first found that out, I completely flipped because I only had the music to one song I definately wanted to sing and I wasn't even sure if I was going to use it, since it's not exactly an easy piece for an accompanist to play if they haven't had time to look at it before. As I was lying in bed last night, though, I suddenly realized I probably have a copy of another song I wanted to sing in my e-mail inbox. When I checked today, I was right, and I was also pleased to know that it was in the key I wanted as well.
I'm not sure what other two songs I want to sing, but I think I'll ask my cousin for suggestions. My old voice teacher, Keri, also gave me a few that I'll have to look into. I was thinking of doing "Caro Mio Ben," but I already know of one other person who's singing it that day and I wouldn't be surprised if more do. We'll see, since the two I am already fairly certain I'm using I don't expect everyone else to have: "O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion" from Handel's Messiah and "Ombra Mai Fu." I've got my Italian song, so that means I don't have to worry about that. I'll let you know when I've decided on what to sing.

Oh yeah. The parentals are coming down on Sunday to visit and drop off my keyboard so I can work on my songs a little in my room as well. Thank goodness for only being 3 hours away! I wish I could be home this weekend since my grandpa is visiting on Saturday and I haven't seen him in awhile, but, sadly, I don't own a car. Such is life... I need a job. Bad.

One more thing before I go: I figure I should tell you to check out Sephira! I actually have never listened to them before today, but I'm glad I did. They are two sisters who both sing and play violin. I didn't even know it was possible to do both at the same time! They're classically influenced, but I wouldn't go as far to say they're classical. They've got their own sound that I find really interesting. I'm actually going to be seeing them October 20th since they are touring with Celtic Thunder, so I will most likely be mentioning them again here. For now, you can check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/sephira

Monday, September 21, 2009

Life is terrifying.

[tunes]: That I Need You - Rebecca Harkin



So, I am sorry I've been completely slacking on keeping up with this thing. I have always kind of sucked at keeping up with blogs. I don't know why.
I don't really have a specific reason to write here today. I guess I could talk about how I quite literally have no idea what I'm going to do with my life after college. The only thing I like doing is singing, and the odds of being able to support myself on that alone are very slim. I don't really know what I'd want to do as a back up. It's kind of freaking me out. Even if I figure that out, the whole process of getting a real job is a little frightening, too. I just feel so unprepared for life. And I'm 20. I feel like that is a problem...

Okay. This is a short post because I'm freaking out all over again as I think about it. One more thing before I go, I think you should take a little time to check out Rebecca Harkin here: http://www.myspace.com/rebeccaharkin I got wind of her through her brother Keith who is in the group Celtic Thunder that I listen to. She doesn't have a CD out yet or anything, but I can't wait to see what the future holds for her. I really like her stuff and will definately be getting her CD when it comes out. If you want, you can check out her brother as well. He sings back up vocals with her on some of the songs and is quite talented as well.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Crazy dreams...

[tunes]: Not Alone - A Very Potter Musical



There's not too much to talk about as far as the day has gone, but I had a really, really strange dream last night and I figured I'd share as much as I can remember.

It started out with me visiting my friend Sam at her work, (I have no idea where it really was because I know for a fact that it wasn't her actual place of employment. I've never even been at her work.) As I was about to leave with another friend Sarah who was there with us, I collapsed out of nowhere and completely blacked out. Next thing I know I've woken up in a hospital where I am told that some random heart problem I've known nothing about almost killed me. (It wasn't a heart attack. I think it was some sort of heart defect.) All I know is that when I woke up I was really confused. I actually think I may have even had one of those dreams within a dream thing where I dreamed that that happened and was afraid it would happen in my dream real life. Not really sure because I've forgotten much of the details.

While not quite as unnerving as the dream I had where all my teeth randomly fell out, I still woke up thinking "WHAT THE FUCK?!" I think it may have had to do with all the times I've randomly been in the hospital this summer. Maybe I am subconsiously fearing that something else will happen that will stick me in a hospital. Or I'm just falling apart.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Blood Drive

[tunes]: Watching the Very Potter Musical on YouTube. I highly suggest doing the same. HILARIOUS.



So, in all the excitement of getting you up to date, I didn’t even mention anything I did yesterday. Normally, that wouldn’t be a big deal, since Tuesdays don’t generally have much going for them as far as plans, but yesterday I finally got to do what I’ve been attempting since senior year of high school: give blood.

Now, I know you’re probably thinking “What’s the big deal?”, but I’ve tried to give blood twice before and something always ends up happening and I can’t. The first time, if I can remember correctly, my vein collapsed or something like that. All I know is that I got all the way to having the damned needle stuck in my arm when, part way through it, something went wrong and they said “Nope! Good luck next time!” (Or something to that effect.) The second time I was told that my iron levels were too low, so I failed again. All I know was that I was going to be pissed if I didn’t get to this time. Thankfully, the only thing that went wrong was that my heart rate was a little high, but that was because I had quite literally JUST come from the gym, so the guy just waited a little bit and retook my pulse. All good! In the end, the lady who took my blood was really nice and she got my vein on the first try, which is wonderful, and I ended up being done in six and a half minutes, which is fast. Yay for me!


Seeing that I have given blood, I now think you should, too. I don’t want to hear about how it hurts to get stuck with that needle because it didn’t really hurt all that bad. (If you’re one of those weird Twilight fans and want to get bitten by a weird sparkly vampire some day, I assure you that will hurt much more than getting a needle stuck in your arm.) If you have some sort of fear of needles I have a friend who does and she got over it to give blood. (If your fear of needles is really bad, I guess you can use that as an excuse.) It’s not a long process either. Think of the lives you’re saving. I saved three, just so you know.


I’ll get off my soapbox now.


One last thing: Sparkly vampires? Srsly?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

I am FINALLY back!

[tunes]: Practice Me - Urban Sun



Well, the title says it all. Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. (Although, I don't think anyone actually reads this regularly, so it's not like anyone's been too upset by it. I should work on that.) Why haven't I posted in a week and a half, you ask? Beats me. I think it's partly due to the fact that I've been busy and whenever I got enough time to sit down at a computer and write something on here, my brain has been bust and I wasn't going to be able to write anything coherant. The better question is: What have I been up to since my last post? Let me go see what that last post was, and I'll tell you!

So, I left off with saying I was going home for Labor Day weekend. That Friday evening, my mom and Grandma, along with my older brother who I was not expecting, came to pick me up and drop off my TV. Then we went over to my cousin's where the the four of us, plus the four people in her family, plus her sister and parents who came in all had dinner together and visited for awhile. That's not even half of my mom's side of the family, just so you know. I then spent the night at my Grandma's before coming home, where I spent all day relaxing.
Sunday, I went to breakfast with Sam and Sarah, which was fun. I wasn't sure if I was going to get to see Sam while we were was in town, so I was particularly happy about that. Now that I think of it, Sunday was quite busy. That afternoon was German Fest, which Alyssa met me at. As soon as I walked up to the entrance I couldn't stop laughing because the whole thing is rather amusing. German polka music blasting all over the place, men in Leiderhosen, and more beer and German food than should ever be in one place. For how German I happen to be, I am not a fan of German food. I actually picked off all the sauerkraut on my brautwurst sandwich when I got one. Nasty stuff, sauerkraut. Don't get me started on Liverwurst and Braunschweiger. I shudder when I think of how my mom used to try to make me eat it when I was little. The only reason I really go to the German Fest is so I can pet the llamas and cows and such they have there.
Sunday night was Teen Mass church times, also with Alyssa, and we were much less mature about it than usual. We spent the entire homily counting how many times Fr. Mike said the word "breadline," (13, if I remember correctly,) and trying not to laugh too much. I think everyone was jealous of our mad clapping and dancing skills during the Lamb of God, though. Chris approved of it, though, since he said that's the spirit that's been missing lately. (It has. I won't get into the issues I've begun to develop with the Teen Mass Band... Unless you want me to.) After church, we all went to the Ringside, of course, and had lots of fun being silly and stupid, which is what we do best. Chris probably thinks we're all crazy, but we're okay with that.
Monday and Tuesday morning were spent doing pretty much nothing, so I won't bother elaborating on them, then I was back here Tuesday night with my TV stand, and back into the swing of classes on Wednesday.

Then a bunch of stuff happened between there, mostly classes, but my brain has just shut off and I can't remember much of it. Sang at mass with the choir on Sunday, which was nice. I found out one of the girls from my Corale class is going to join the choir. She's an Alto 2 with me in Corale, so it's doubly nice, since that means I can sit next to her in Chorale as well as choir. Yay!
There was one more thing I wanted to mention... Oh yeah! In my health class on Monday, we had a one page paper due on a topic of the Health Care Reform bill and watched Obama's speech on it. I wrote mine on the Public Option, which was oddly relevant at this point in my life. Now, I always considered myself for the bill as it currently stands, and watching the speech only confirmed my support for it. I hope it passes, before it gets changed too much.


That's about all for this post. I apologize for the slightly rambling nature it took on. I'll try to write better from now on. And more often. Before I go, though, I'd like to suggest taking a listen to Urban Sun. They are a funk rock band that I happened to go see with some friends while I was in NYC, and I really like their stuff. You can check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/urbansun. Their full album is also on iTunes, which is where I got it from. I really suggest listening to it. I'm a fan of "Practice Me" and "Destination" especially, but I love it all. Funk Rock. It's good. :)

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Sorry it's been a little while...

[tunes]: I have been watching/listening to the Star Wars a cappella John Williams tribute video an obsessive amount of times.


So, as the title states, sorry I haven't updated in about a week. I promise to update you soon, but I am uncharacteristically tired right now and have no mind with which to write anything more than a few rambling sentences. Maybe later tonight or tomorrow I'll get back to you. All zero of you that actually read this...

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Labor Day Weekend!

[tunes]: I was watching the Crazy Christian Lady from Wife Swap earlier on the Tube of You...


Before I get to the reason why I'm writing a second post in one day, I wanted to share with you that I fought my fear of going to strange new places by myself today. Twice, actually, if you really wanted to know. I did indeed go to the gym, which is always a good thing. I got in a decent work out for it having been two weeks since I was at the gym last. (There is a story behind that one, but I don't think you want me getting into it. Let's just say that I've seen hospitals wayyyyy too many times this summer.) I also went to choir practice for the church that is about two feet from my building. My cousin, Erin, invited me, so I plucked up my courage and ignored the "OMGNEWPLACEWITHPEOPLEIDON'TKNOW" feeling and went. I had a good time, and little Sammy was so excited to see me. He's so cute. I actually colored him a picture of Lightning McQueen from Cars since he loves anything and everything car and train related. Can't tell you how many times I've heard about all the different characters in Cars and what sounds they make. Still haven't seen the movie, though, except for this part right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8GJHJlN7VA. (All because the minivan goes "MiniMiniMiniMiniMini..." as he drives. heeheehe.) But, yeah. Back on topic, choir practice was nice.

Now for the big news. I get to go home for Labor Day Weekend!! I'm quite excited, since I wasn't sure what I was going to do for 4 whole days all by myself. My mom's picking me up on Friday and we're staying at my Grandma's overnight, then I'll be home Saturday, possibly swinging by my Aunt's, since my cousin Jackie may be in town. I may have to tell her that story about the random guy thinking I was Jackie, since my mom and Erin both wondered if the guy thought I was her. Apparently we look alike, although I don't really see it.

Well, that's the lowdown for the next few days. Can't wait to go to the Teen Mass at home with Alyssa on Sunday and see Anita at the Ringside afterwards. I don't think she'll be expecting me.

Grilled cheese is the sustenance of life.

[tunes]: The click-clacking of keys on a keyboard.


Right now, I am sitting at one of the library computers debating on whether or not to go to the gym. While I know I should go, since it is healthy and good for me, I have this strong dislike of going to strange new places by myself. I guess this is mostly because I hate to look really stupid. I mean, I wouldn't mind it if I had a friend with me because, at least, I wouldn't look stupid alone, but I really don't like going someplace where I don't know what I'm doing. I have issues, apparently. Makes me wonder from time to time if I would ever need a therapist, but that's a really scary new place where I would most certainly look stupid, so you know that's never going to happen. Not that I actually need one.

For the past few days, I've had grilled cheese almost every day. This might seem kind of monotonous, but I'm quite thrilled by the whole concept, at least for now. On Tuesday, I even managed to have it twice in one day, although I didn't plan to. I had the delicious sandwich for lunch with my typical salad, intending on having something completely different for dinner, but I got invited over to my cousin's for dinner before we went to the Indiana County Fair, (which was a lot of fun,) and guess what I had there! GRILLED CHEESE!!1! Not going to lie, I was STOKED. IUP even goes one step beyond your typical grilled cheese from time to time and serves things like grilled ham and cheese or grilled turkey and swiss. I suppose I'll get tired of grilled cheese soon enough, but, for the time being, I am enjoying the variety of grilled cheese sandwiches in all their cheesy goodness. Om nom nom.

Well, my brain just shut itself off, so I can't think of anything else to say. (Well, I could, but it would come out as a bunch of mumble jumble and make no sense at all.) I think this may be my cue to scoot over to the Co-op Store and buy myself a lanyard for my ID. Even if I don't go to the gym today, I'll need that lanyard for the gym eventually. To quote Dexter from Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby: "Huffah!"