Am I Doing the Right Thing?

I'm feeling a little down right now...not like super down, but wondering about things. It seems there are certain people who get everything they want (at least it seems that way at least). Thanks to the wonderful world of social networking I found out one of my peer's was offered a contract for a young artist program at a local opera company and an offer to be in various productions they have. This is the same young artist program I found out was having auditions the day of auditions. While I'm super happy for him, the first that came to my mind was

"That should be me!"

This isn't the first time I've thought that either. Sometimes I wonder if I really am doing the right thing. I love to sing, its unlike any other feeling, but I feel behind in my knowledge and performance and there are always two or three people better than me. It feels like I always miss the mark in my singing somehow, it's never a complete package. I just wish sometimes I knew what God has in-store for me.

Puppypuppypuppypuppypuppy

Here's the story... Remember when you were a kid and whenever your parents asked what you wanted for your birthday you'd say "I want (insert animal here)", well last year when my dad asked me what I wanted for my birthday I harkened back to that mentality and said "I want a puppy" he asked what kind of puppy and I told him a dachshund (wiener dog). I was half-serious, half-kidding about wanting a dachshund for my birthday. I've wanted one for a while now, but I figured I would get one at least a few years down the road.

My birthday finally arrives and behold my astonishment when I open gifts from my dad and family which are all doggy toys and a dachshund calendar. Immediately I knew this meant my dad was actually going to get me a dog, yay! I started looking online and in newspapers, but my heart was settled on getting it as a puppy and after reading up about the breed I decided on a dapple-piebald. I started E-mailing breeders like crazy, but no one was expecting either coloring. Finally, I found a breeder's website and all the dogs looked happy and healthy. I e-mailed her and she said she would keep me up to date on planned breedings that could produce what I want.

Nearly a year later...

Over spring break my dad and I went to meet the breeder and her puppies and they were all adorable, I wanted to take them all home. After that visit it was settled. As cute as a dapple-pie would be, I decided I didn't care what the puppy looked like as long as it is healthy (I sound like such a parent).

With great anticipation I am waiting. Because I have been in contact with the breeder for so long she is giving me first pick of the litter! My puppy will arrive in to the world in 11 days and I am super excited!!! I have the option of picking my baby by picture or in-person and I think I'll pick her in-person (schedule permitting of course). Finally, my new baby should arrive to her new home around July 2nd...that was all planned of course.

The pictures above are the parents of my baby. The chocolate dog is the father - Billy and the red and white doggy is the mother - Dory.

What Comes Next?

That is the question I keep asking myself.

With graduation around the corner and my impending doom into adulthood I wonder what will come next. While I intend on having a job while on sabbatical; I am apprehensive of where it will be, what I will do and any other question one can think of. The ultimate would be to have a job at the opera house ushering, taking tickets - anything to get me closer. I know that doesn't sound like much, but in this economy I have to scale back a little. They say ignorance is bliss, sometimes they're right (whom ever "they" are). I recently found out that Tacoma Opera has a Young Artist Program which will be having a early next year and the best part is the program is open to current and recent college grads. Sounds perfect right? What could be better? Permitting I ace the audition, I get in to the program during my year off, gain experience, and get a great addition to my resume. It was too perfect, it turns out the day I heard about the program was the same day they were auditioning for the program and they were already overbooked.

Blast, well there goes that idea. Now, I'm going to audition for Tacoma Opera in the fall (or whenever they have chorus auditions) and eventually make my way to Seattle Opera and pray they like my voice. As of now, I'm going to find a job wherever I can find one and search our auditions.

Thanks for reading, in the meantime check out my photograph, I took this up on my island - it makes me happy.

My Bad

Amid the glorious sun I sat and sat and sat. It was wonderful, to feel the warmth on my legs and arms which haven't seen the light of day since last September. I took the time to work on homework outside while feeding my skin Vitamin D. It made me feel better being in the sun, not hiding away from the ugly weather that plagues our area most days. Ah yes, it was relaxing. As I was basking in those wonderful rays did I think to protect my skin? I heard my mother's voice repeating the ill-fated words,

"Don't Forget to put your sunscreen on"

After two and a half hours of sunshiney bliss I realized I was turning pink, as always, but thankfully I didn't burn as I thought I would :) I'm still a little pink and I can feel heat semi-radiating from my arms and legs, but it doesn't hurt.

I won't forget the sunscreen next time.