Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm so happy I get a chance to see my friends and family over the holidays. I know many people out there may be alone this holiday season or be suffering financially, but it helps me to know that there is always someone out there who cares about them and loves them no matter what - be it a distant family member, a nearby shopkeeper, or an angel watching over them (like Clarence from It's a Wonderful Life). Have a very Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays from my house to yours.

Kt

P.S. If you weren't sure of what to get someone and ended up not giving them a gift, you can always donate to an organization that helps others. A gift from the heart will always trump a material gift.

Things That Have Come And Gone

Hello everyone!

Here's a list of things that have come and gone since I last posted:

• My senior recital: It went pretty well - at least I thought it went pretty well. The bumps from my dress rehearsal weren't there and I wasn't too nervous. Unfortunately, I didn't sing "full voiced" and my professor picked up on that. Bummer when you get a B on something you work so hard on.
• The fall semester: This is my last fall semester at my college. Marching band is ending (though we're bowl bound - WOO!), my senior recital is finished, and it looks like I might (cross your fingers!) end up with all A's this semester! Oh, and I'm dating somebody which is a pretty great present for the holidays.
• My December Glamour issue: I was so ridiculously behind in reading my magazine! I finally finished it during finals week (I was done with my finals, of course) after I received the January issue in the mail. Oh well - it was a great issue!
• My fear of alcohol: Okay, this would take much explaining so I'll summarize it to the best of my ability. College scared the begeezes out of me as a freshman - i.e. I wasn't expecting to see so many of my school mates being irresponsible. I eventually grew to accepting my "it's-your-life-so-you-can-do-with-it-what-you-want" policy, but I still steered away from drinking myself. I was under age! That's against the law!!! Yes, I know I'm a goody-two shoes. Well, I'm old enough to drink, and have been for quite some time, so I'm getting a chance to really try things out. I was timid at first, but I've been to the bars and parties and have found my tolerance is pretty high. I'm careful and cautious and I think that's the best I can do for myself.
• Christmas lights!: I put Christmas lights up on the deck of our apartment for the first time (we've lived in the same place for two years). I'm so happy I did! They jump started my Christmas spirit, even though I'm still kind of waiting for the full Christmas mood to kick in. Um, it's in less than a week...let's get the Christmas spirit started!!!

This will be a shopping week for me. With all of the school things that have been going on I haven't had much of a chance to shop for Christmas presents. I'll be driving and spending money out the wazoo.

I hate how I'll find something I really like before Christmas, but not dare buy it for myself because someone may get me something similar - you never know! And then, once Christmas is over, I'll think, "I really wanted to get such-and-such, but I've already got so many things... I'll just not get it/That's a waste of money/blah blah blah." If you like it, get it! Geez. It's just nail polish/a purse/stuff! You've got gift cards - use them for the purchase! Oy, I need to feel better about spending money. I also need to work on saying, "Oy" less...

Well, I hope you all have finished your finals (if you're in school) and are home for the holidays! Drink some hot chocolate, spend time with your friends and family, and don't forget to give! Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, please remember to be kind to each other and give a gift of love and hope to friends, family, and passers-by. It will warm their heart as well as yours!

I hope to write you all again soon! Happy Holidays!
Kt

Nervous/Worried/LET'S DO THIS!

Hello everyone!

It's nearing the end of the semester and all the end of the year projects are starting to pile up. The big one that's "due" today? ...My senior recital.

I had my dress rehearsal last night. During the day I was actually feeling pretty relaxed about the whole thing. I felt like I knew my music well and that it would be fine. Well, that dress rehearsal had quite a few...bumps...to put it nicely. Now I'm scared, worried, nervous, and losing my appetite. I'm surprised I could eat my breakfast.

I want/wish/pray for tonight to go smoothly. I want/wish/pray to be relaxed and focus on making music instead of what notes I sing, what words I sing, and what dynamics/articulations I sing.

Please let this go well. I don't want to break down in tears like I did yesterday.

Send me good relaxation vibes!
Kt