A Happy Anniversary :) August 8, 2011

Chris and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary the other day, and this is what I woke up to (well, almost.  I put them in the vase):

I have such a sweet hubby!  These are the same kind of calla lillies that were in my wedding bouquet.  In case you haven’t seen them already, this is what it looked like (you’ll have to imagine the colours from the above pic):

I’m sure he had all the ladies swooning in the flower shop over the fact that he remembered what kind & colour my bouquet flowers were.  ;)

This was actually the first anniversary since our 3rd that we’ve been able to celebrate together.  The last couple of years I’ve been in Banff for their summer masterclass and orchestra programs, and Chris has been away at conducting institutes.  Since this was kinda major that we were in the same city for our anniversary, we spent a lovely day together.  We slept in (ok, I slept in), and then went to our favourite little diner for brunch.  After that we went to an outdoor artsy-fartsy festival for a few hours and enjoyed the good weather, then to dinner and a movie.  Overall, a very happy anniversary.  :)

neglect July 20, 2010

With the kerfuffle of travelling, moving, and more, I have been neglecting my blog, so here’s a quick update.

I am in beautiful Banff at the moment, and am holding things together.  Well actually, more than just holding it together now.  I had a really bad day on Sunday, but I’ve managed to stay on my lowest dose of this weaning experiment of 10 mgs.  I am away for a whole month, so my doctor and I have come up with plan B and C in case I fall apart.  Sunday was an anomole though…  I hope.  I had messed up my flight, which meant that I could only take carry-on luggage so that I could catch the last shuttle of the night.  Then my purse broke.  Then the lady sitting next to me spilt water all over me, noticed, and didn’t say anything.  PLUS, I had to say goodbye to my hubby and pups for a month.  Then I realized I only had one Ativan left, which made me panic (ironic…).  Anyhow, I made it through without taking it, just in case I need it here in Banff before I can get a refill.  I should clarify that I rarely need one, but I certainly feel better knowing I have them, just in case.  The good news is, I’m doing well now.

My poor hubby is stuck at home, left alone to finish packing the house and to take care of all the annoying moving to-do’s.  He’s a sweety!  He knew this would be the case, but convinced me to come here anyways for the great experience.

Anyhow, I must go practice.  The last movement of the Barber Violin concerto is calling my name…

Good or Bad News? Good! May 28, 2010

I have too much to say today.  I have been so busy lately!  I thought that would end with the end of my Masters program, though that has clearly not been the case.  I have updates in many areas:  violin, house, plans for next year, etc., so I think I will stick to the violin/life updates and save the house for another day.

I am currently waiting at the Toronto airport for my connecting flight.  A day with an itinerary of 4 hours and 9 minutes of travel time has ended up being 7 hours so far, and counting.  It will likely end up being over 8 hours by the time its done!  Thanks, Air Canada…  Oh well, life goes on.  I am heading home from my Symphony audition, which overall, I am quite pleased with.  I didn’t win the job and I certainly didn’t play my best, but I am really happy with the experience.  It was a great set-up for an audition – there were a whole bunch of dressing rooms, so we each got a private warm-up room for the day.  That meant that I could keep busy  by listening to my ipod, planning, and warming up and not get too nervous.  Until, of course, my audition time came up…  It was my first one for a decent full-season orchestra, so I’m cutting myself some slack.  I got a little nervous and flustered, which led to my bow arm tightening and messing up a couple of entrances, plus I flubbed a few notes.  Not so good.  There is a lot of good news to come out of it though!

First of all, my first audition is over and I didn’t make a fool of myself!  I now know what to expect in my next auditions, and can prepare accordingly.  Second of all, I got a confidence boost.  I listened to the others warming up and practicing, and I have to say, I’m just as good as they are.  That makes me think that I will eventually land a job…  And to use a cliché, I have saved the best for last.  I get to move with my handsome hubby and hyper pups instead of doing the long-distance thing for the next few years.

Now that this audition is over, I can continue with my original plans for next year.  I’ll be doing a lot of DIY projects on a fixer-upper house next year; lots and lots of practicing, audition preparation and as many auditions as I can; and volunteer work.  I also plan on taking care of my hubby.  He has been so great to me through my mental health struggles, that I’m looking forward to finally being able to take care of him a bit.  He’ll be so incredibly busy (and stressed!) with his Doctorate program, so I plan on baking him yummy treats for a mid-day pick-me-up, taking care of most of the household chores, and surprising him with lunch and coffees at school every now and then.  After all, I can’t get a work visa or green card, so I will have plenty of time for that!

Proud Wifey February 3, 2010

I have the best hubby.    Not only is he sweet and loving and supportive, but he works is butt off!  He just had his first DMA audition at one of the top music schools in North America, and kicked ass!  I know, he hasn’t heard back yet so who knows if he’ll get in, but he worked so hard to get to this point and I am so proud of him.  I’m amazed with his work ethic!

Eeeek August 21, 2009

I ordered the music for Ysaye’s Poeme Elegiaque ages ago, but it still hasn’t arrived. Hubby Chri kindly got it for me through an inter-library loan and it arrived today. I don’t know how I’m going to memorize it before my recital AND finish memorizing the Bach and learning the Stravinsky… I’m freaked out!! Must go practice!!! After a piece of toast.

Also, the fridge isn’t cooling well enough… We’ve tried one solution and have one other to try if that doesn’t work, so lets hope we can fix it ourselves and don’t have to buy a new fridge! Aargh!