Earth2Laura » choir

What if

laura — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:03:16 +0000

One thing I’ve always been keenly aware of is that there is no way to change the past. If a time machine had been invented, I believe that someone would have screwed up somehow and let it slip that they are from the year 3013 to the world. So give up hope of Doc showing up in a DeLorean and asking you what you want to go back and change.

At the same time, I often wonder if things happen for a reason. Was I meant to have met the people who are so important to me now? Would circumstances have allowed us to meet even if my life had gone a different way?

I don’t really know that things are necessarily “meant to be.” I can’t say either way. I believe in a higher power, but I don’t pretend to understand it.

Every now and then, I wonder what would have happened if I had remained a Music Ed major in college. I famously (among those who knew me anyway) changed majors four times in college, quite unsure about what exactly I was supposed to be doing.

Ultimately, I left the music department because I saw the art of singing in a different way than the vocal faculty. I also wasn’t sure that I really wanted it badly enough to give my all to singing.

There are times I question my choice. Sometimes, I’m talking to performers in a musical about their passion, and I feel that twinge of what I used to feel when I thought about singing. Sometimes I’m singing a song in choir, and I think of how I would feel, standing in front as the director. What directions would I take with the music? How would I interpret that rest?

I always come back to music. No matter what emotion I am feeling, I can always find a song that perfectly captures it in a melody. Sometimes I need to sing as a sort of release, to convey my emotions in a way I can’t do with actions. Music is its own language for me, a language that I think is both universal but exclusive at the same time. I have been moved by music in ways I haven’t been able to accomplish otherwise.

Ultimately, though, I haven’t given up singing. I changed my major and went a completely different path, but I still have music in my life. So I suppose I don’t really have to think about the what ifs.

Although we can’t change the past, one thing over which we have some measure of control is the future. Yes, things have happened that we can’t change. But we can make choices to decide the direction we are going in the future.

365-Day Project: Oct. 16-Nov. 11

laura — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:46:06 +0000

This is the longest I’ve gone without updating. Part of it was self-fulfilling simply because after two weeks, I knew it would take me an insanely long time to download, edit and upload these photos. It’s almost a 1 and a half hour project now. I can’t let it get this out of hand again.

Jane smiles during Amie's rehearsal lunch the day before her wedding on Oct. 16.

It's probably weird I don't have a photo of Amie, but I was so busy doing stuff that I didn't actually get that many photos. My friend Abe hijacked my camera and took many photos, though, for which I am grateful. Jane gets her makeup done on Oct. 17.

Ardath cuts up carne asada for dinner at her house on Oct. 18. Ardath made mine and Robert's Halloween costumes.

My iPod on Oct. 19. Enough said.

"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" sits in the passenger seat of the Prius on Oct. 20. A very good book. I highly recommend it.

Robert grins during a surprise lunch with me at Cafe Ba-ba-reeba on Oct. 21. We don't get to go to lunch often, so this was nice.

Robert scans the field during his indoor soccer game on Oct. 22.

Andrew and Robert pose under a light pole after our Master Singers concert on Oct. 23.

I am so so so proud of this photo.... A boat glides on the water at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego on Oct. 24. Robert took me on a surprise trip to the beach because he knew I just needed to escape for a few days.

This is where Robert and I are going to retire: Coronado. On the beach, Oct. 25.

McMullan's on Oct. 26. That was an interesting night.

Andrew looks at his phone on Oct. 27. I'm not allowed to take any more photos of him on his phone.

Robert and Jonathan smile for my pitiful iPhone camera on Oct. 28 at BJs in Henderson after our Master Singers concert.

My celebratory martini with my parents on Oct. 29 after I was offered the position of editor at the Boulder City Review.

Robert models his Monarch costume on Oct. 30 before work. I had to stay home from the gym and help him put it on.

The main drag of Boulder City, where I start work on Monday. My office is on the right. I went there on Oct. 31 to check things out.

Robert shows off his facial hair he did for his Halloween costume on Nov. 1.

An unimpressive dish at Yardhouse on Nov. 2. Don't get the giant California roll thing. The ahi is good, though. Also, the martinis are good.

Robert sits at Mimi's Cafe on Nov. 3.

I have a pepper on my plant on Nov. 4! I don't know when I can pick it. It's little right now.

A fire burns at Brio on Nov. 5.

Pepper snuggles with a stuffed animal on Nov. 6. She just looked too cute.

Boats are docked at Fisherman's Wharf on Nov. 7. I love San Francisco.

The Titans intercept a pass by the 49ers at the game on Nov. 8. It was quite an experience wearing a Titans' jersey in the opposing team's stadium... Robert owes me!

A corner near Union Square in San Francisco on Nov. 9.

Life isn't like a box of chocolates, because it doesn't come with a map like this! Nov. 10.

The source of my addiction on Nov. 11.

365-Day Project: Oct. 11-15

laura — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:32:54 +0000

This weekend is Amie’s wedding. I’m heading out to her rehearsal lunch in a couple hours. Here’s a quick update.

Kristy stands in her very own apartment on Oct. 11.

Robert check out his iPhone on Oct. 12.

Weekly Andrew photo. Andrew sits in the Prius on Oct. 13 after rehearsal.

Ra Sushi on Oct. 14. I haven't actually ever eaten there. My friend Lauren and I went to Cafe Ba-ba-reeba, but she wouldn't let me take a photo of her.

Grammar Girl signs a copy of "The Grammar Devotional" for me on Oct. 15. She runs a podcast show about grammar that I listen to.

365-Day Project: Oct. 1-3

laura — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:28:22 +0000

Here’s a quick update from the last few days.

Crystal practices "Seasons of Love" for Cabaret night on Oct. 1.

David hides from the camera at BJs on Oct. 2 before enjoying a pizookie. Those things are dangerous.

Jonathan, left, performs "I'm Not That Smart" while Father Bill helps out on Oct. 3 at Christ the King's annual cabaret night.

Also, I might as well just put this up for those of you who weren’t there. I performed a few songs at the cabaret night last night. I sang “Raunchy” from “110 in the Shade.” In the show, the main character, Lizzie, is trying to prove to her dad that she can flirt just like the other girls.

You can see it here.

365-Day Project: Sept. 21-30

laura — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:18:52 +0000

My yummy bowl o fruit on Sept. 21.

Andrew stands in the choir room before Master Singers rehearsal on Sept. 22.

Andy shows off the device he made for Robert's Halloween costume on Sept. 23.

David examines his chicken nugget from McDonald's, trying to determine if it is, in fact, real white meat, before seeing "Working" at Spring Mountain Ranch on Sept. 24.

A cat sits on a rug on Sept. 25.

Robert shows off my glass of sangria on Sept. 26.

Jane shows off the back of the bridesmaids dresses we are wearing for Amie's wedding on Sept. 27.

Kerri tries on a veil for her wedding that will be next year on Sept. 28. I chose this one because you don't actually see her dress, which has to remain a surprise!

Andrew before choir rehearsal on Sept. 29.

Robert puts the dishes away on Sept. 30.

365-Day Project: May 8-12

laura — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:56:22 +0000

I’m at the final stretch of being busy. After this week, we’re off to San Francisco for a few days. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to bring my laptop with me and update my blog while I’m there or just upload when I’m done. I also might need the computer to clear off my camera cards if I take too many photos.

In the last few weeks, I’ve really noticed that the desert can be absolutely beautiful in the springtime. One of the reasons I think that the desert is so beautiful right now is that it simply comes to life. Flowers burst out from the barren desert, a splash of color against the drab brown of the dirt. As a sign in my mom’s garden says, “Flowers are the earth laughing.”

Desert flowers are also very exotic looking. Perhaps it’s because they have to survive on much less water than a lot of other plants need.

I know I've taken a photo of these flowers before, but it intrigues me. I went back with my actual camera, (the last one was taken with my iPhone) and took a closer photo. May 8.

Not the most interesting photo, but I wanted to get a photo of our new Prius on May 9. I didn't think we'd actually end up with a Prius, but we gave it a test drive and absolutely loved it.

My friend Christine wanted me to take some photos of her for a job she's applying for. Here she is outside of Gorman High School on May 10. I was hoping to get a photo of my mom for Mother's Day, but she doesn't let me take her photo.

The flashlight at UNLV. I got to rehearsal a little early on May 11 and was able to take some photos. My friend Andrew didn't even know this was a flashlight. And, yes, it was, in fact, supposed to be facing up at first. I read that in a book I have about UNLV. Little known fact you won't find in the book: it has great acoustics. I have stood in the ridges and sung with fellow choir members, and it sounds absolutely wonderful. The sound just rings in your head.

The porch light in my backyard on May 12.

365-Day Project: April 28-May 7

laura — Fri, 08 May 2009 05:23:04 +0000

As I posted earlier, I haven’t been very good about keeping the blog up to date the last two weeks. May is a rough month for me schedule-wise. Anyway, I’m catching up today.

Andrew grins at Master Singers rehearsal on April 28. I'm not sure how many Andrew photos I have left until September. At least, not on Tuesdays. Our final concert of the season is May 16. We're singing Beethoven's Ninth with the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

Robert gives a thumbs up in Yogel's Frozen Yogurt on April 29. David, when you're here again, I think we should go. It's a do-it-yourself frozen yogurt place. It's my favorite of the four I've been to in town.

Overlooking a bar/lounge in Red Rock Resort on April 30. I loved all of the lighting fixtures in this hotel. I took a whole bunch. I had a hard time deciding, but ultimately decided on this one because it had people in it.

The wind picks up a model's veil at the fashion show at the Eco-Friendly Bridal Show held May 1 at the Springs Preserve. I got a lot of great photos there, and I'd like to return to take some more of the scenery. I went to the bridal show with my friend Kerri, who is getting married in September 2010. I hooked up her and her fiance.

UNLV's Doc Rando hall houses a breath-taking, ceiling-height pipe organ. The Las Vegas Master Singers Chamber Chorale sang a concert in that hall on May 2, using the organ, of course. The only thing I don't understand is why they placed the keyboard (or whatever the word is for organs) facing away from the audience. Not only is the organist's back to the audience, but it's especially difficult when the organist is accompanying a choir. They have to set up a mirror to see the conductor.

I almost burned my eyes taking this photo. The sun shines behind palm branches at Town Square on May 3. I went shopping with my mom and sister, and it was very hard not to buy anything. Robert and I are trying to save money for our trip to San Francisco in a couple weeks.

Facebook on May 4. OK, I admit, I waited until the last minute to take this photo.

My weekly photo of Andrew. Andrew looks at my iPhone before choir rehearsal on May 5. About half of my photos of Andrew, he is looking at something technology related.

I think these are orchids. I forget. I took this photo on May 6 at choir rehearsal at Christ the King. Father Bill doesn't allow fake flowers in the sanctuary, so although these are perfect looking blossoms, they are, in fact, real.

The "Asian section" of my library on May 7. I have my library grouped by genre. It's a mixture of books and figurines.

Tomorrow, I have tickets to see UNLV’s production of “The Music Man.” I really enjoy that show. It’s the only show I’ve actually seen on Broadway, and I think I appreciate it more now than I did back then when I saw it. Mariane is one of the roles I would really like to play one day.

I’m actually pretty excited about summer coming this year, even though that means hot, almost unbearable weather. I think every year, I forget just how hot it gets here.

365-Day Project: April 13-16

laura — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:46:21 +0000

An interesting flower found in Mountain's Edge Exploration Peak Park. April 13.

Andrew stands in Christ Church Episcopal. Note Jesus in the background. April 14.

I stopped on my way to work April 15 to take a photo of the mountains covered in rain.

A lily in my house on April 16.

I’ve gone a little flower crazy lately. All the flowers are blooming right now, and they are so easy to take photos of. I’m going to pick my 12 best flower photos of the year and put them in a frame with 12 empty spots to hang on my wall. I also bought a few other cheap frames to print out some photos for.

365-Day Project: April 1

laura — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:19:27 +0000

Yesterday, I took a bunch of photos at church choir practice. I managed to sing everything even though only the middle of my range is all the way back. Ironically, a lot of my low notes are gone. Normally, it’s the high notes that take some time to get back.

Julia plays piano during a break in choir rehearsal on April 1.

On a different note, I took a cool personality test this morning that my friend Andrew suggested. This is the personality type I am: ENFJ. Click the personality test link to take it yourself. It’s about 70 questions.

365-Day Project: March 10

laura — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:07:14 +0000

Time for my weekly photo of Andrew.

Andrew sips a drink on March 10.

In other news, I’ve lost 10 pounds so far on Weight Watchers. Yay!!