MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

 

I realize this salutation is a bit late, perhaps,

 but in my mind Christmas goes through New Years day.

I just love this time of year!!

Christmas day was so nice- 

My married sister and her hubby,

 along with married brother with wifey and baby, 

   and we spent the whole day having fun and food and gifts and music and puzzling,

and watching the baby have so much fun with his new gifts.

(Actually, he liked the boxes they came in, mostly..)

Christmas is so much more fun with a baby around.

Here are some very random videos for you!

These guys have a lot of time on their hands:

And this one is so outrageous that I can't believe I'm posting it.

I usually hate these kinds of things,

    but something about it made me laugh so much... 

so, sorry if it ruffles your sensibilities... :)

Evening thoughts..

I sit here, recently home from the running at the gym, checking various email accounts, and have decided to share some evening thoughts:

I've begun to really enjoy a nice, hot cup of coffee here and there(with cream and splenda), especially now that it's so cold out.  But I read that coffee is actually not that great for you, so now I'm torn.  I suppose that I'll begin weaning myself off of it, but that's a sad thought. At least I like hot teas, and at least I don't like coffee 'cause I'm addicted to caffeine.

Running on a treadmill is really terribly boring. Especially when you've forgotten your ipod and headphones to serenade you, and the tv monitor hanging from the gym ceiling (which you can only watch if you feel like trying to read lips, or watch sports, which is like self-inflicted torture)  inconveniently changes shows in the middle of your long run and you're stuck trying to avoid Slutty McSlutSlut and her lover Creepy VonOldMan try to justify their relationship on national television. Gag-a-maggot.

I love Christmas trees with pretty twinkly lights.

I secretly pray all the time for snow or bad weather to cancel school so I don't have to teach. Even if it's clear out.  

I drove home in sleet tonight! There was ice on my windshield!! (See above :)

I made my first catalog/internet order last week.  Got the merchandise today. Put it back in the box. Returning tomorrow.  'Guess everyone has to learn about online catalog shopping on their own... 

I have so far purchased one, yes one, Christmas Present.  How far away is Christmas?

I confess that I watch Charlie and Lola often, by myself, and also that I have set the TIVO to record it weekly.

J'aime parler français et j'ai une précepteure française qui est très gentile et utile.

I do love my family.

And my dog.

And you.

:)

16-Week Marathon Training Schedule 

 

Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Total 

1  3 Rest 4 3 Rest 5 Rest 15 

2  3 Rest 4 3 Rest 6 Rest 16 

3  3 Rest 4 3 Rest 7 Rest 17 

4  3 Rest 5 3 Rest 8 Rest 19 

5  3 Rest 5 3 Rest 10 Rest 21 

6  4 Rest 5 4 Rest 11 Rest 24 

7  4 Rest 6 4 Rest 12 Rest 26 

8  4 Rest 6 4 Rest 14 Rest 28 

9  4 Rest 7 4 Rest 16 Rest 31 

10  5 Rest 8 5 Rest 16 Rest 34 

11  5 Rest 8 5 Rest 17 Rest 35 

12  5 Rest 8 5 Rest 18 Rest 36 

13  5 Rest 8 5 Rest 20 Rest 38 

14  5 Rest 8 5 Rest 9 Rest 27 

15  3 Rest 5  3 Rest 8 Rest 19 

16  3 Rest 3 Walk 2 Rest 26.2 Rest 34.2 

And so it begins.  3 miles tomorrow, Big D Marathon April 5th.  Yikes.

Life is flying by these days.  I'd like to think that it's just because it's the holiday season, but I really think that it's just adult life... slow it down, someone, please!

My nephew, Kohen, is 6 months old, which I can't believe! We had a "Half-y Birthday" party for him- Cassie made a half cake, and we sang half-y birthday and all... Kohen didn't really get into the chocolate cake, but he'll learn ;) He's hit that point where he makes noise just because he likes to hear it come out of his mouth, and he's got the cutest funniest little laugh!!

LOVE him :)

Some more fun news: I'm going to be part of Fort Worth Opera's "Dead Man Walking" this coming season! I'm really excited about it, too! Woohoo!

So buy your tickets and come see me!

Ahhhhh Christmas!

 I so absolutely LOVE Christmas!! 

The wreath and stockings are hung,

 trees decorated, 

cards put on the mantle, 

hot chocolate with a dollop,

 yes, 

a dollop of whip cream.... 

does life get any better?????

I submit that it cannot. :)

Le Damnation de Faust

Cassie and I went to see the "Met live in HD" performance of Faust at the movie theater today! I've never been to one before (there's one every month during the season), but have always wanted to. A little more expensive than a normal movie, but soooo worth it. It's really like being onstage with them, up close and personal. They even interview the leads backstage! And for all of you worried about sitting for 3 hours straight, there are intermissions. Just like being at the Met... without the gold cielings, red tapestries, and amazing chandeliers. I definitely recommend it!

This performance of Faust was different from the usual, in that they used electronic, sound-sensitive equipment that moved with the sound from the performers and orchestra. It was really neat.








Ah, technology these days... brings to mind an old song:



So romantic...

Oh, the constant goings-on.

So has this been the craziest month and a half of my life!  Every other weekend I've been out of town doing something related to singing.  As I sat at a table across from my sister in a Braum's in Ok. City, I realized that this is what I'm training myself to do.  I've just never actually been constantly doing it. Going places, learning music, being in competitions, constantly having to watch my hydration gauge. Tiring, but I really do like it!! I would like it a lot more if I didn't have to come home to four jobs and try and catch up.  I think it's picture time.  A month like this deserves pictures!

First off,  a completely solo trip to D.C. to visit a few grad schools and sight-see in my free time!

Breakfast on Penn. Ave.! (If you can call a frapp breakfast..) 

A picnic lunch on the Potomac:

Gorgeous skies

Dinner for one in Chinatown

Gorgeous National Cathedral

My future home

Next trip, I was off to Ohio for my cousin's wedding, which I sang in- my ENTIRE living Laing family was there, sooo neat.  This is my little grandma with her great-grandson!

And last of all, Halloween time!  Nothin' cuter than my nephew! He's a doll! And no Halloween is complete without pumpkin carving!

Happy days to you all!! :)

Home, Sweet Home

I love being home and completely unable to tell you when my next venture to the airport might be... I love fall and I love crackly leaves, I love my dog and my comfy-cloudy bed, I love the chilly weather and pulling out my winter clothes.

This month is going to be C R A Z Y!!  My students have their competitions, I have a competition in two weeks, I have to make my recording for grad school applications, I have to finish sending in all the applications and materials, and I have to drink hot cocoa and tea and buy pumpkin pie candles and make fruit-bit-cinnamon bread in my spare time!!! Yikes.  

In the meantime, I'm enjoying sitting on the couch, watching Ocean's 12, and thinking about going to bed in my own house and room!

I just love coming home.

:)