Personal Sanity

I'm taking a personal sanity morning. To get all my papers and bills and mounds of music in order. Rehearsal for The Grand Duchess start on Sunday. I got the e-mail last night. I'm only in the chorus but in short order it will take over my life along with Rackham rehearsal, voice lessons, getting ready for my recital, and this fabulous thing called the holidays! For those of you who are wondering I didn't get in to the Carnegie Hall Professional Workshop but I got a nice denial letter and will be applying again next year. Now I've got to fill out an application for Arbor Opera Theater's Emerging Artist Program and decide what to do about the grad school app to UofM that has been nagging the back of my brain. Off to get life in order. Happy Wednesday!

A Musical Birthday

Four days ago I had a fabulous voice lesson and realized I really have to figure out taking those French I, Italian I, and German I classes.

Two days ago I turned 26 and had a fabulous birthday party. I also found out that I was selected to audition for the Arbor Opera Theatre production of "Carmen."

Yesterday I had a fabulous dinner and went to see the MOT production of "The Mikado" with DH, DS #3 and CooperMan.

Tomorrow I have an audition to be a supernumerary in the MOT production of "La Boheme."

It's been a good four days.

Akeelah and the Bee

I just finished watching this movie since it came up in my Netflix queue. The thing that caught my attention the most (besides making me want to watch the annual Scripps Spelling Bee) was this quote by Marianne Williamson:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Gives you a lot to think about, especially from a movie about a spelling bee.

R. Hirt Jr. Co Recipes of the Month (Feb 2010)

A local "general store" in Eastern Market has monthly recipes that they have available and since we're trying to buy more of our food stuffs locally I grabbed this months recipes. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try my hand at fixing them. If not, them maybe y'all can try!

LINGUINE WITH BACON & ONIONS

1 lb. linguine pasta
3/4 lb bacon, chopped
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 large egg yolks
Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling

In boiling, salted water, cook the linguine until al dente; reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking water. In a large, deep skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Discard all but 3 tablespoons bacon fat, then add onions to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until softened. Add the pasta cooking water and bring to a boil. Stir in the linguine and remove from the heat. Stir in egg yolks one at a time. Add the bacon, season with pepper and sprinkle with Parmesan.

CRUSTY MAC'N'CHEESE

1 lb elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
freshly ground white pepper
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Monterery Jack, shredded
1/2 cup American Cheese, shredded
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and reserve. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9"x13" baking dish. In a large saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, nutmeg, and black pepper to taste, stirring until it is a paste-like consistency. Pour in milk and stir continually until mixture starts to thicken; slowly stir in cheese 1 cup at a time until all cheese is melted. Stir cheese into the macaroni and mix well, scrape into baking dish. Melt remaining butter, add breadcrumbs, season with sea salt and pepper and stir to blend. Sprinkle on top of macaroni mixture. Bake 25 to 30 mintues or until bubbly and golden brown. Remove, let stand for 5 to 10 minutes and serve.

Happy....Sunday!

Hello all! I apologize for my (once again) LONG absence. It's been a little busy. Just wanted to say that yes, I am still alive. Working and singing lots and trying to plan a voice recital hopefully for later this spring. Today is Sunday so I'm at home relaxing and cleaning after church this morning and an SAI meeting that I hosted. It's my day to be home and just because I'm home and Dean is home does not mean we're doing some ridiculous to celebrate Valentine's Day. Yes, today is the Feast of St. Valentine who was a 3rd century martyr who was persecuted and killed for marrying Christians and, yes, today is the day that a multiple massacres have occurred possibly in the name of St. Valentine. So, no, I see no reason to celebrate the people that I love just today because I celebrate the people I love every day. You shouldn't need a designated day out of the year to make sure that you tell those you love that you love them.

ALTON BROWN!

Very quick post (and a promise to update on what's been going on the last couple months soon...) about the lecture given by Alton Brown that we went to last night at Oakland University. He gave us a few things that everyone should know about the science of foodstuffs. Here they are:

1. Beware Chinese chili.

2. Chickens do NOT have Fingers.

3. Eat more pretty colors.

4. Anything you can buy is not as good as anything you can cook.

5. Words like "diet," "lite," or "free" aren't real - stay away!

6. Never mix strawberries and watermelons - eat seasonally!

7. "Fresh" and "raw" are NOT the same.

8. Eat more little fishies - sardines, mackrel, anchovies, small tuna.

9. No government can keep our food safe - don't expect them to and don't ask them to.

10. Grow something...anything...

11. Try being a little thankful sometime.

12. Always serve the good beer first.

It was a fantastic lecture with the best of company (Vivian, Anna, and Margaret Mann) and Alton Brown while extremely educational is also extremely funny. We would definitely go hear him again AND we converted Margaret to his fantastic-ness (I know that's not a word) seeing as she had never heard of him.

Happy first of October and Happy Thursday, everyone!

From the City of

Hi everyone!

I am still here. Lots going on since my last post in April. Lots of busy months since then the most important of which involved the Mr. and me moving to Detroit. More updates soon!

Disneynature's "earth"

Several weeks ago when I first saw a trailer for this movie I said to Dean "I want to see that when it comes out!" He, of course, said ok and that was that. Well, being the wonderful husband and rememberer of details that he is he came home from working at Starbucks one night last with a voucher. A voucher for what you may ask? The movie "earth"! It was a voucher for two to an advance screening of the movie and get this: it was free! Even better. So on this delightful Wednesday evening when I have no obligations since all my extra-curricular activities are taking a post-Easter break I tied on my shoes and headed out to the movie theater. Dean chose not to come with so it was a nice little me outing. It was well worth it. Despite the dozen or so children in the audience (the screening was hosted by Radio Disney so what do you expect?) that seemed to squirm, ask questions and hide there eyes at the closest possibility of an animal on the screen getting her it was a wonderful experience. The movie was filmed in conjunction with the BBC and several other companies, etc. some of whom were involved in the Discovery Channel series "Planet Earth." So, might I recommended to you all that one week from today (which is Earth Day) you buy an inexpensive weekday afternoon movie ticket and see this movie. (or maybe just go see it whenever you have time) It's well worth the money. James Earl Jones is the narrator and they follow three animal families: polar bears, whales and elephants over the course of almost two years. There are some sad parts (a couple animals die...) but its a beautiful, well made film with some truly amazing shots. The beautiful earth which God created is shown in all its glory in this film and that was the best part.

Here's a link to the film's trailer and you can look up where the movie's playing near you!

http://disney.go.com/disneynature/

Spring Fashion

So I was in Target this afternoon to pick up my prescription and Target is just one of those stores that you MUST wander around before you leave. So I wandered over to the clothing section and then over to shoes. They have some really great things out right now for spring (hopefully I'll go back and get a new Easter dress and shoes) but there was one thing that caught my attention and a little smile. This year the slight nautical theme and combination of navy blue and white is in style again. This brought back the memory of a navy blue dress with jacket that I had back in high school and white and navy shoes that I had to match. They looked really sharp together and while I know I wouldn't pull them out again even if I still had them (and not that they would fit) but I'm hoping to pull off that fashion again this year with some updated navy and white. What fashions are you looking at bringing back for this spring?

P.S. Momma, (I'm sure I'll regret asking for an old picture of myself) but do you recall this outfit and do you have any pictures of me in it?

When it rains...

When it rains in Michigan it really rains. This makes sense given the fact that we're surrounded by lakes on all sides but one and if it gets cold enough it explains all the snow. Right? Correct. The only thing that's missing with all this rain? Character. Back home in Georgia when we start getting spring and summer showers there are the few that bring the rain but then the rest of the showers are thunderstorms. There is something to me that is comforting about hearing rain beat down on the rooftop and hearing the crack of lightening and the crash of thunder that comes with the storm. It adds character to the drenching wet that is coming down out of the sky. Now I'll take rain in Michigan over the snow any day (especially right now since it means spring is coming) but I'd like a little character every once in a while. I got super excited yesterday when I was driving home from church in the dark, rain pouring down, windshield wipers on high and I heard a faint little attempt at thunder. I immediately turned off my radio and waited for more. It didn't come but I'll listen for it next time. And maybe sometime soon we'll get a good thunderstorm in Michigan.

What's up?

Not a whole lot. We've been keeping busy lately with work, church and hanging out with friends. In the past few months we've attended a couple beautiful weddings (one of them being my dear sister Margaret's), visited Hillsdale a few dozen times, gotten into the swing of a new church "program" year, gotten sick, gotten promoted and gone to the saddest funeral I've been to since November 2001. Oh, and we've had birthdays! So it's been busy. I've started to find my niche with cooking. I'm currently on a "learning how to cook things I've never cooked before" streak and I must say it's going very well. We've had lasagna, pizza meatloaf, rice krispies, white chili and I'm going to bake a pound cake tonight. Other than that life is nice and simple which provides for a boring blog. Oh well. I'm still here. Until next time....December maybe?

Why Women Should Vote

An SAI friend sent this to me and I decided to share it with y'all. I'm interested in seeing the movie now...I'll probably Netflix it. :-)

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers, as they lived only 90 years ago. Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketting the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote. And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden' s blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

They beat Lucy Burn, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, exactly?

We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of vot ing had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was-with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use-or don't use--my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD. I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum. I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a litt le shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.

History is being made.

JUNE

Things that have happened (or will happen) in the month of June:

June 1st: I sang my second Kirkin' of the Tartan service at CCC. One of the most spectacular services I've ever seen. Reminds me of Grandpa's family tree and Vivian. One day she'll be there for this service. Also played in my first ever handbell concert. I've learned a LOT from Dr. Daniel this year and really am looking forward to next year.

June 2nd: Heard about Dean's first day at his new part time job: Youth Minister at Christ Church Cranbrook. a) Never thought I'd be a youth minister's wife, b) Can't believe we've been so blessed to have found ways in which we can both serve God and others.

June 3rd: Turned in my two weeks notice at Bath and Body Works. Due to Dean's new job and other opportunities I get to spend more time singing and studying singing. I may even audition for the opera chorus for the 2008-2009 season.

June 7th: Watched co-worker (and friend), Jenny, get married. It's so much fun to see the people you spend all your time with outside of work. :-)

June 9th: Spent my evening cleaning and fixing dinner! (despite the fact that Dean is working and not here to enjoy it with me) This is one of the big things I'm looking forward to. I'm finally at that point where I want to cook things, in MY kitchen. So we'll see what comes of that.

June 13th: I leave for London. I was given an anonymous scholarship to be able to go on the Christ Church Cranbrook choir trip. It was supposedly said of me by this anonymous person to my choir director that I can't not go. I'm still baffled that someone would think that well of me and honored for them to have sent me on this trip. I've learned so much already from other people going on the trip and can't wait to learn more while I'm there. :-)

More updates on London and the rest of June later...

Tonight while Dean has been at work I left my piles of laundry to fold and my checkbook balancing turned on the tv to the Big Band and Swing music channel and did something I've been dreading doing.

I sorted through Grandpa's old sheet music and stored it away.

I'm sure some people think this is silly but that music has been in the same place in the top of his keyboard since he passed away almost 7 years ago and I've let it like that especially in the last year that I've had possession of the piano. Now his music is safely stored away for me to still pull out and play but it's not going to be the constant reminder that it was everytime I even opened the piano let alone sat down and played.

Does everyone remember who Grandpa's favorite band was? I do. :-)

What did I sing this weekend?

I'm taking my mother's blogging question one step further. :-) Here's what I sang this weekend:

04/12/08 10:30AM A Service of Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation
"Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven"
"We Know the Christ is Raised and Dies no More"
Jubilate Deo by Paul Halley
Child of the Light, arr. Dent Davidson
I Received the Living God by Richard Proulx
"O Praise Ye the Lord"

This is one of the longest services I've ever sung for but so wonderful to see. Our church was host to several churches and a service which baptized 3 people and confirmed 89. And the bishop of the Diocese of Michigan was there. All in all it was pretty cool (actually it was really hot, but that's beside the point)

04/12/08 5:00PM The Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday
04/13/08 8:00AM
04/13/08 10:00AM
"All People that on Earth do Dwell"
A Song to the Lamb by Donald Pearson
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need"
Jubilate Deo by Paul Halley
"I Can Hear My Savior Calling"
"Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!"
(These three services had a mix match of the above songs/hymns as I was the cantor for the 5pm and 8am services and the whole choir was at the 10am)

04/13/08 4:00PM Music at Christ Church Cranbrook presents Classical Bells Hanbell Ensemble
with D. Giles Simmer, soprano and John Repulski, organist
I sang "The Gift of Love" by Hal Hopson with one of the largest (and best) professional handbell choirs in the Midwest. It was pretty cool and also some sort of evidence to the fact that I just can't say no to Joseph...

So that's what I sang this weekend! I put the hymns in parenthesis because I didn't want to italicize and I'm awful for not doing something to the other pieces but I had to show some distinction. And, since I sing for an Episcopal church, all the hymns are from the most recent hymnal (1982 I think).

Now all I have to say is "Thanks be to God!" that my weekend is over but I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow...

Ode to My Toolbox

So I'm definitely NOT a poet but I figure I can do a little "list" poem of all the wonderful things about our toolbox that Daddy gave us for Christmas 2006.

Bright color. Black and Yellow.
Full of surprises.
Has every tool I could think of needing and more.
Plus it has a glue gun! So handy for crafts.
And it has lots of extra room to store items we pick up as our collection grows.

Thanks for the gift Daddy! It's one of the most used! :-)

The Things I Want

So, I have this dilemma (as I'm sure many people do). Whenever my birthday or Christmas rolls around and people ask me what I want I never know! And then, of course, after the fact I think of all of these things that I want. So, in the ridiculous amount of time that I spend clicking around on Facebook I came across this website on Sarah's list of websites and it's so cool! So for any future reference see here:

http://www.thethingsiwant.com/gazelle0206/

Weddings

So I'm definitely NOT the only Jordan granddaughter married anymore and am about to be joined by another married girl! As I've been hearing little blurbs about the planning of Margaret's wedding I've been thinking back on my own on the little things I would have done or would have done better...

1. A picture with the Jago side of the family! I cannot believe that I forgot to get one of these. It's not hard to fit us all in a picture and I should have.

2. Directions for the guests and out of town baskets. I would have spent more time on them. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and creative sister who offered to do both and I was off in another world and didn't help.

3. Scrapbook! I had this wonderful idea for people to be able to write us little notes that I could scrapbook and I didn't lay it out right so that was able to happen. I still got signatures and have thought of a way to use those but again more thought would have been good.

Those are my three big "regrets" although they aren't even regrets. They're just sort of ohs... Anyway, I'm going to get some sleep. I've completed 2 of 9 rehearsals/services this week so I need to sleep when I can. :-)

Late!

It seems that I have been seriously lacking in the blog posting department lately so I will give a brief update on the last several months:

October: my birthday! and a beautiful time of year in Michigan. Also I performed a concert, God's Trombones as part of the Christ Church Cranbrook Choir.

November: Thanksgiving was spent with our dear friends from church, Dr. and Mrs. Robinson as well as their daughter, Sara, and my sister, Vivian. Fun was had by all.

December: Lots of snow here in Michigan as well as my first Christmas season away from home. Sang in a Lessons and Carols service at CCC as well as quite a few Christmas Eve services. Christmas was also spent with Dr. and Mrs. Robinson and both of their daughters, Ruth and Sara.

January: We rang in the New Year with a surprise visit to Traverse City and spent a few wonderful snow filled days with Paul, Jodi, David and Hali (as well as the animals Chance, Dakota and Pouncer). Also received a brief break from singing (and handbelling) before preparation began for a Bach Cantata Concert, CCC Choir Cabaret and Lent/Easter. Dean also began working at Starbucks! :-)

February: Lent! And lots of hours at the doctor's office = very tired Giles. Also had wonderful visits from Margaret and Vivian (including picking out a bridesmaids dress and shoes!) and a visit from Momma and PeggyDee before her music audition at Hillsdale.

March: Bach Concert! Went well and only a few vocal hitches. I think we did okay considering how hard those pieces were! Easter is around the corner as well as spring *hopefully.* Road trip to PA next weekend (not this coming weekend) for a church seminar and a quick return for Palm Sunday. We're looking forward to our second Easter together at CCC and are very thankful for all the friends that we have gained in 2007 and how those relationships will continue to develop in 2008.

As for today, I have the day entirely off (minus handbells) and have so much I want to do I don't know where to start but I ended up finishing my book so now I'm off to try and be productive. :-)

Georgia and Back

We had the great joy of visiting Georgia this weekend for my 5 year high school reunion at the Lovett School. It was really nice to see so many friends from then, to catch up and find out what everyone is doing now. Even better was seeing my family and visiting so many familiar places.

It's starting to turn into fall back in Michigan. The leaves are changing and my mind is starting to turn to learning to cook the wonderful soups and warm things that you think of during this time of year. Also coming up are my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and our first anniversary. So, despite the cold, cold weather that I'm sure is to come the next few months are filled with the best and warmest memories I have from many, many years.