An update, a resolution, and a step

The typical start to a new post after having not posted in months is something to the effect of "omg, SO much has happened since I last posted!" and though this is the case, it's not the direction I choose to go today.  Today will be an update, a resolution, and a step. 

The update is as follows:  Completing DMA apps and everything that goes with them turned November into the hardest, most grueling month I've experienced in awhile.  Every school wanted something just a little bit different, but every school wanted personal statements, writing samples, CV, resume, artist resume, rep list, audition list, 4 recommendations, 3 recommendations, GRE, 4 songs for the pre-screen, 8 songs for the pre-screen... All of which was achievable but made increasingly difficult with the fact that I was still working 3 part-time jobs (SU, Oswego, and the onset of NS rehearsals) (and a part-time job blog will have to occur soon because I have a lot to say about that.  Just not right now.) had a planned trip to Jamaica from last April, and exams to complete and send out a week ahead of time so I could be gone for a week.  My point is simple.  It sucked, I hope to never have to do all of that again, and it made me so look forward to the actual auditions.  I can stand up and sing real pretty in front of people I don't know.  I do it all the time! 

The next question is the obvious one - What happens next?  I have been in the process of waiting to hear from each school to find out if they will grant me a live audition.  For many post-graduate programs, especially in voice, (though I'm sure it's the same for other instruments) we have to send in a pre-screen audition.  Basically a CD of me singing all pretty to see if I am a likely candidate for the program.  They have a small panel listen to these CD's, then I get the green light and then get to show up and sing for the full faculty.  This makes a lot of sense and saves everyone from the American Idol problem.*

I have been granted auditions at UC Boulder, Indiana and Michigan, and am waiting to hear again from UNC Greensboro.  They e-mailed me a couple weeks back saying "yup, we got your stuff.  we're gonna look at it now and let you know soon." so soon should be... soon?  That's fine as they're the last on my audition schedule so I don't mind waiting.  This makes my travel schedule as follows: 

January 13-15: Bloomington, IN
January 19-21: Boulder, CO
January 27-29: Ann Arbor, Michigan
February 3-5: Greensboro, NC (we hope!)

Then the weekend after that is the one-day-only-reunion-tour of "Eleanor" out at Hamilton College, then I nap.  I won't hear about being accepted/rejected/paid fabulously until April, so you'll all have to wait with me until then.  But this is it!  I have gotten the ball rolling and this process is underway.  So long as someone pays me enough, I will be leaving Syracuse this summer. 

Yes.

Okay, onto the resolution.  I resolve to be a better blogger. 

Last year I resolved to not justify my feelings all the time when I am talking or even blogging, and I have found this to have an absolutely positive impact on my life.  It was pretty neat to make a resolution and actively stick to it.  People may think that to be an interesting resolution for me as I have often been described as blunt, but bluntness is for me, situational.  If I am completely at ease with my situation and surroundings, I will most likely say the first thing that comes to mind.  If I am at all concerned with the feelings of those around me and the consequences my words may hold, I will either not speak, or spend 5 minutes explaining the one sentence I'm about to share so as not to offend anyone or so as to allow you to understand EXACTLY what I mean by saying "at this time" rather than "today."  It's an annoying habit and I've been doing well in breaking it. 

I digress, that was last year's resolution, and this is now.  I am adding to my resolution list to be a better blogger.  I have lots to say and it turns out at least 5 people care to know what that all is.  So here's to you.  :)

And the step.  Oh this is a hard one.  The other half of this blog which has really been the main focus until this post.  Weight-loss.  I fell right off my path when school started back up.  All of which can be explained away in my upcoming part-time job blog, and I will not make excuses here.  I did not plan all the time.  I did not follow through with all of my plans when I made them.  I have not been to the gym since the summer.  I have barely followed WW since the summer.  I have wasted $160 in membership fees in this time and I simply can't afford to keep doing that.  This has to change and I will make that first step today.  Today I will set up my menus and shopping list for the next couple weeks, and next week I will make it to the gym two times.  These are simple steps that I have done before and simply have to do again.  I stopped liking what I was seeing in the mirror and I stopped feeling like there was any change in myself.  Some people still see a difference and that is encouraging but I don't.  I will not waste time thinking about "where I could have been had I stayed on track" because that will only depress me.  I will simply take a step to do better today, and continue to take steps to do better tomorrow.

Well, here's to the new year and a happy and healthy holiday season to you all.  <3



*The American Idol problem is just that.  A problem.  People think they are fabulous singers, their families have told them they are fabulous singers, so they go out and audition for everything they can, assuming they will be chosen and accepted and lauded and applauded.  Many of these people are, in fact, talentless fools.  In the DMA world, it's not necessarily that people suck, just that they may not be at the level of a DMA (or MM) program and so instead of wasting their time and money on an audition, they can simply waste their time and money on the application and pre-screen recording.  Everyone wins.