So the recital is getting closer. I'm trying to decide what I can "serve" afterward at the little reception. Here's the deal: My mom and dad aren't going to be here to help me set everything up (hopefully I can enlist some friends) and help me make the food beforehand, so I'm trying to keep it simple. But I want it to be classy and tasty and fun. I'm hoping there will maybe be 50 people. Hoping. It's hard when you are giving a recital in a place you've only been for 7 months! I can do it.
Here are some thoughts of things I can make (I don't want to do a lot of store bought stuff...yuck):
-Different Breads i.e. Zucchini, Pumpkin, and maybe one other kind?
-Key Lime Tartlets and maybe some other little fruit tartlets
-uhhh?
Any ideas would be lovely. I love trying new things, so hit me with anything fabulous. Looking for finger foods that people can just come through a line and grab.
Happy Rainy Tuesday.
P.S. Everyone is invited to my recital. Even if you live in Utah. Or Tajikistan.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sharing....
I've been cooking lately. My mom always told me to share. Here you go:
Me and Tumi.... this girl was INTENSE! You should have seen her go crazy on the field!!!
Mini Breakfast Quiches:
*Literally took me about 20 minutes to put together, and I'm slow, and about 18 minutes in the oven. They were a HUGE hit. I didn't use hot sauce and I didn't use muffin tins because apparently grocery stores here don't have them! I just sprayed the pan really well and they popped out very nicely. Seriously delicious.
Chocolate-Chip Orange Zucchini Bread:
My teacher gave me this recipe a few months back and I decided to make it this week. I thought it was a bit dry with the whole wheat flour, but everyone at my work loved it, so who am I to judge?
Some adjustments that I made:
I used 1 and 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 and 1/2 cups of regular flour instead of 3 cups regular, and I substituted 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce for 1/2 of the oil, but still included the other 1/2 cup of oil. My teacher said to add 2 bananas to make it a little more moist. I will do this next time. It took 2 zucchinis to get 2 cups of zucchini, by the way. Sounds like a no brainer, but I bought four because I'm a little slow. Great recipe!
Hooray for fabulous food.
In other news, I conquered my fears this weekend and went PAINTBALLING. Here are a few pics. And I know this may come as a surprise, but I was kind of fierce. Crazy, huh?
Me and my neighbor, Brooke. I'm showing off my battle scar on my sweatshirt. Brooke got hit in the mask and the knee. We had a blast together!
Me and Tumi.... this girl was INTENSE! You should have seen her go crazy on the field!!!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Things I Am Afraid Of.
Getting hit by a paintball. This will likely happen on Saturday, unless I manage to succesfully hide behind my friend who coaxed me in to going only by promising I could "hide behind her."
Being told I'm wrong. Wrong by definition here means out of tune. But I also am just afraid of being wrong in general. WHY?!! I know a select few people who don't mind being wrong. Why can't I be one of you? I hate that I feel the need to be defensive all. the. time. The first step has been taken: Problem recognized. I'm working on it.
Maleficent. If you don't know who this is consider yourself lucky. She will scare me until the day I die.
Putting myself out there. Since when did that become a phrase that everyone understands? It makes absolutely no sense. But I am afraid of "it."
My orchestra conductor. I was doing such a good job at not getting scared all last week and the beginning of this week, but then I folded yesterday. Dang it.
People. I am your cookie cutter people-pleaser.
People seeing me when I am on my way to work out in the morning. It's worse than the "just rolled out of bed" look, and one of my co-workers saw it yesterday. Cue awkward hello's.
The floor in my bathroom. Sick. O.
Being told I need a new headjoint. Knowing it's probably true. My headjoint and I are not in a loving relationship right now. I just bought this one a year ago. Better yet, my parents just bought one a year ago. This is not happening.
Spiders. They make me scream.
Throwing up. I don't understand how anyone could do this on purpose.
On another note, I am going to bake some zucchini bread today. On another note from that note, I think of all of the cooking escapades that I have and the limited number of people I have to share them with and think that someday I will make some little family very happy with these cooking frenzies. Hopefully it's mine.
P.S. What are you afraid of?
Being told I'm wrong. Wrong by definition here means out of tune. But I also am just afraid of being wrong in general. WHY?!! I know a select few people who don't mind being wrong. Why can't I be one of you? I hate that I feel the need to be defensive all. the. time. The first step has been taken: Problem recognized. I'm working on it.
Maleficent. If you don't know who this is consider yourself lucky. She will scare me until the day I die.
Putting myself out there. Since when did that become a phrase that everyone understands? It makes absolutely no sense. But I am afraid of "it."
My orchestra conductor. I was doing such a good job at not getting scared all last week and the beginning of this week, but then I folded yesterday. Dang it.
People. I am your cookie cutter people-pleaser.
People seeing me when I am on my way to work out in the morning. It's worse than the "just rolled out of bed" look, and one of my co-workers saw it yesterday. Cue awkward hello's.
The floor in my bathroom. Sick. O.
Being told I need a new headjoint. Knowing it's probably true. My headjoint and I are not in a loving relationship right now. I just bought this one a year ago. Better yet, my parents just bought one a year ago. This is not happening.
Spiders. They make me scream.
Throwing up. I don't understand how anyone could do this on purpose.
On another note, I am going to bake some zucchini bread today. On another note from that note, I think of all of the cooking escapades that I have and the limited number of people I have to share them with and think that someday I will make some little family very happy with these cooking frenzies. Hopefully it's mine.
P.S. What are you afraid of?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Time Out for Flute Players
Okay Ladies. I have a few extremely nerdy things that I've been needing to express in a forum where I feel like other flute players can hear my excitement and have settled on this blog as the best place. So here we go.
1. How many of us have an Altieri bag? How many of us have an Altieri bag that has backpack straps that aren't very comfortable, all sorts of fraying seams and threads hanging all over the place? Worry no longer! I have found the best new flute bag and I so covet it. SO covet it. It is by CaseLogic (go figure), one of the other flutists at BU has it, and it is amazing! It's bigger than the flute size Altieri bag (not the alto flute size), has two separate big compartments, great organizational space for pencils and all that jazz, comfortable convertible straps, and is MUCH MUCH sturdier (spelling?)! Altieri bag: $90. CaseLogic: $60. Seriously, consider this bag if you need a new one. Eat your hearts out:
http://www.flute4u.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=27273&category_id=263
Thank me later.
Let's be honest, though, the "Professional Tote" by Case Logic is way cuter. Just double the price. But it would be nice because you could leave school and not feel like a dork carrying your flute with you into every restaurant, store, house, or church you go into. I'm just saying. Here it is:
http://www.flute4u.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=18468&category_id=263
2. Have you been freaking out about the arpeggios in Peter and the Wolf lately? Of course you have. I have no exciting tricks, but I just want you all to know, if you didn't already, that the Russians were playing on a different FLUTE when Prokofiev wrote Peter. He wasn't intentionally writing all of this technical ridiculousness. For them it was something easier like a what a C Maj. triad would be for us. Doesn't that at least make you hate Prokofiev less? I know. Me too.
3. In my lessons lately we do lots of talking about lifting the upper lip "up" instead of pushing it out for octave leaps or any interval really. Think of the upper lip as a trap door that you lift up ever so slightly and that higher note will just fly right out-- it's amazing. I feel like we always talk about both lips moving forward together or the top lip guiding the airstream, but thinking about the vertical position of the upper lip has helped my legato playing SO much! Love it.
4. I have met one of the best second flutists ever at BU. Same girl I played opera with. We sit down at our first rehearsal for the latest rotation and she turns to me and says, "Annie, have you listened to this piece yet?" I said no. She says, "Well I listened to it this morning and it is just the PERFECT piece for your sound. You are going to sound amazing! I can't wait for you to play this." Seriously. What do you say to that? I just wanted to kiss the ground that she walked on for the rest of the day. She is so great.
5. I get to play at Symphony Hall (where the BSO plays) on April 6th! Excitement! I wasn't sure if I would get put in Symphony Orchestra this rotation but I did and I'm playing 1st on 2 of the pieces and I LOVE both of my 2nd flutists. Happy day.
1. How many of us have an Altieri bag? How many of us have an Altieri bag that has backpack straps that aren't very comfortable, all sorts of fraying seams and threads hanging all over the place? Worry no longer! I have found the best new flute bag and I so covet it. SO covet it. It is by CaseLogic (go figure), one of the other flutists at BU has it, and it is amazing! It's bigger than the flute size Altieri bag (not the alto flute size), has two separate big compartments, great organizational space for pencils and all that jazz, comfortable convertible straps, and is MUCH MUCH sturdier (spelling?)! Altieri bag: $90. CaseLogic: $60. Seriously, consider this bag if you need a new one. Eat your hearts out:
http://www.flute4u.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=27273&category_id=263
Thank me later.
Let's be honest, though, the "Professional Tote" by Case Logic is way cuter. Just double the price. But it would be nice because you could leave school and not feel like a dork carrying your flute with you into every restaurant, store, house, or church you go into. I'm just saying. Here it is:
http://www.flute4u.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=18468&category_id=263
2. Have you been freaking out about the arpeggios in Peter and the Wolf lately? Of course you have. I have no exciting tricks, but I just want you all to know, if you didn't already, that the Russians were playing on a different FLUTE when Prokofiev wrote Peter. He wasn't intentionally writing all of this technical ridiculousness. For them it was something easier like a what a C Maj. triad would be for us. Doesn't that at least make you hate Prokofiev less? I know. Me too.
3. In my lessons lately we do lots of talking about lifting the upper lip "up" instead of pushing it out for octave leaps or any interval really. Think of the upper lip as a trap door that you lift up ever so slightly and that higher note will just fly right out-- it's amazing. I feel like we always talk about both lips moving forward together or the top lip guiding the airstream, but thinking about the vertical position of the upper lip has helped my legato playing SO much! Love it.
4. I have met one of the best second flutists ever at BU. Same girl I played opera with. We sit down at our first rehearsal for the latest rotation and she turns to me and says, "Annie, have you listened to this piece yet?" I said no. She says, "Well I listened to it this morning and it is just the PERFECT piece for your sound. You are going to sound amazing! I can't wait for you to play this." Seriously. What do you say to that? I just wanted to kiss the ground that she walked on for the rest of the day. She is so great.
5. I get to play at Symphony Hall (where the BSO plays) on April 6th! Excitement! I wasn't sure if I would get put in Symphony Orchestra this rotation but I did and I'm playing 1st on 2 of the pieces and I LOVE both of my 2nd flutists. Happy day.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
SB
Spring Break. Want to know what I did? Here is my to-do list (you probably can't read it):
I went to NYC last weekend with BU to play in an opera, which was lovely, especially when per diem is involved. Didn't really take pictures, which is so bad, but I am not one to whip out the camera all the time. I wish I was. I did go for a charming walk in Central Park after church on Sunday and took the picture below. Lovely, isn't it? Friday I spent some quality time with some of my favorite flute players, went to Lalo cafe for the first time (I still like Serendipity better), and was "out" way later than I care to tell. I will never stay up that late again. I hope. Saturday I checked into my hotel on 46th and 8th (thank you BU)... I think it was called the Paramount... and spent the afternoon with my lovely cousin Melissa. Love that girl. And Jaden was a doll. I had rehearsal for the opera, Antigone by Marjorie Merryman, that night and then went out with the rest of the orchestra (there were only 10 of us). We ate at a lovely little Mexican place (I can't believe I forgot the name) downtown, I had a burrito in a CURRY tortilla (since when was curry anywhere on a Mexican menu?), and my friends tried to get me to drink. Seriously? Seriously. Do they think after however many years of not drinking that I'm just going to go for it? I was somewhat amused. Sunday I thought I was going to the singles ward and ended up in a family ward. Don't worry, I made friends with a lot of people who have no interest in dating me. Bummer.. I really was banking on a long distance relationship. I think having a long distance relationship is going to be on my bucket list. Something about it sounds so intriguing to me. I digress. I spent the afternoon in Central Park and made it back in time for the opera that night. Played well, went out to dinner with another favorite flute player and her bf to a place called Kittichai in Soho and that was it. I took the bus home Monday. Wasn't that thrilling?
I went to NYC last weekend with BU to play in an opera, which was lovely, especially when per diem is involved. Didn't really take pictures, which is so bad, but I am not one to whip out the camera all the time. I wish I was. I did go for a charming walk in Central Park after church on Sunday and took the picture below. Lovely, isn't it? Friday I spent some quality time with some of my favorite flute players, went to Lalo cafe for the first time (I still like Serendipity better), and was "out" way later than I care to tell. I will never stay up that late again. I hope. Saturday I checked into my hotel on 46th and 8th (thank you BU)... I think it was called the Paramount... and spent the afternoon with my lovely cousin Melissa. Love that girl. And Jaden was a doll. I had rehearsal for the opera, Antigone by Marjorie Merryman, that night and then went out with the rest of the orchestra (there were only 10 of us). We ate at a lovely little Mexican place (I can't believe I forgot the name) downtown, I had a burrito in a CURRY tortilla (since when was curry anywhere on a Mexican menu?), and my friends tried to get me to drink. Seriously? Seriously. Do they think after however many years of not drinking that I'm just going to go for it? I was somewhat amused. Sunday I thought I was going to the singles ward and ended up in a family ward. Don't worry, I made friends with a lot of people who have no interest in dating me. Bummer.. I really was banking on a long distance relationship. I think having a long distance relationship is going to be on my bucket list. Something about it sounds so intriguing to me. I digress. I spent the afternoon in Central Park and made it back in time for the opera that night. Played well, went out to dinner with another favorite flute player and her bf to a place called Kittichai in Soho and that was it. I took the bus home Monday. Wasn't that thrilling?
And then I had a whole week to myself here in Boston. I love this place. Being in NYC for the weekend made me so grateful to live in Boston. It's beautiful and small and it doesn't smell. So I made the to-do list that's way the heck up there in this post and decided to enjoy myself a bit. I did. Here is a picture of my trip to the MFA with my friend, Chad. Isn't this cute? Too bad the A doesn't line up.
And on Thursday I went with my lovely neighbor, Leah, to the BSO. Heard Hilary Hahn for the first time. HOLY COW. She was amazing. And I loved her dress. And the whole concert was just fantastic!!!! Leah loves Red Mango and there is one right across from Symphony Hall, so we tried it after the concert. Yummy.
Other things I did over my Spring Break:
-Got a parking ticket. Was not on my to-do list.
-Bought a recital dress. AND IT HAS SLEEVES.
-Got rained on. A lot.
-Saw Alice in Wonderland (actually liked it... heard mixed reviews before seeing it)
-SAW DANNY GOKEY LIVE. In a furniture store in Reading, MA? Poor guy.
-Cooked some amazing pasta sauce.
-Practiced a bunch. Recital is T minus 42 days and couting. Yikes.
-Went running outside and discovered a reservoir that is like a 5 minute run from my house. AMAZING. If only the weather hadn't gone south on us.
-Read books.
-Bought my first pair of red shoes courtesy of DSW. Getting a little too anxious for spring (they are flats).
And it was a good Spring Break, though I discovered that I hate breaks with nothing to do. I feel like a useless human being. I know, I know, I am a nerd, but I am really excited for school and work to get going again tomorrow. I always did love school. Good thing.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Nerd Alert!
Sometimes I wish I lived at home because then I could find old pictures of myself and scan them in to make my blog posts a little more entertaining. But, alas....
So one of my favorite things to do at my job is blog surf because most days I walk in and ask if there is anything for me to do and they say no. Soooo the other day I found this post and almost fell out of my chair.
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling
^That page is titled 10 words you need to stop misspelling (also, note that the letter "s" appears in the word "misspell" twice). If you know me well you know I have a special place in my heart for spelling. I was born a good speller, as were all of my other siblings except for Meg, which she readily admits. It's good to know that the youngest child doesn't get EVERYTHING. :) Just kidding-- I love you, baby. ANYWAY (tangent), while spelling is also one of my strengths it is also a huge pet peeve. I get really uneasy every time I see a word misspelled, which means I probably start biting my nails, which is something I'm desperately trying NOT to do (I know that was a run-on sentence all you grammar freaks).
So one of my favorite things to do at my job is blog surf because most days I walk in and ask if there is anything for me to do and they say no. Soooo the other day I found this post and almost fell out of my chair.
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling
^That page is titled 10 words you need to stop misspelling (also, note that the letter "s" appears in the word "misspell" twice). If you know me well you know I have a special place in my heart for spelling. I was born a good speller, as were all of my other siblings except for Meg, which she readily admits. It's good to know that the youngest child doesn't get EVERYTHING. :) Just kidding-- I love you, baby. ANYWAY (tangent), while spelling is also one of my strengths it is also a huge pet peeve. I get really uneasy every time I see a word misspelled, which means I probably start biting my nails, which is something I'm desperately trying NOT to do (I know that was a run-on sentence all you grammar freaks).
Oh and one more thing. You thought this nerd rant was over. Heh. Remember how I complained in one of my posts a while ago that I wish I knew how to use semicolons? I'm sure you do. Well worry no longer! I found this on the same website:
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon
Now the trick will be actually applying what I have learned. I still haven't actually used a semicolon, but at least now I understand the principle. Baby steps.
So everyone, use your time wisely and make the world a better place by visiting this website. And save me from heart failure. If you're feeling super nerdy today (which is every day for this girl), take the twitter spelling quiz on the quizzes page. Be careful of the other quizzes, though; there is some raunchy stuff in there. (AH! Semicolon!!!!! FREAK OUT!)
Don't let this bee (ha) you at the your next spelling bee.
I meanwhile, will be Spring Breaking here in Boston.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Empire State of Mind
I'm going to NYC tomorrow. Hip Hip!
I was cracking myself up for like 1 minute doing this tonight. I've never taken pictures of myself on my computer, but I figured tonight was as good a night as any. ESPECIALLY with no makeup and my new BU CFA shirt on! Hollaaaaaaaaaa!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Who isssssshhhh it?
Today I am cursing the guy who showed up at the party I was at last night and announced he had been throwing up for the last 24 hours. I am a loving person, mostly, but this is bringing out the worst in me. I don't have much energy to do anything but watch a movie and then I thought, "I own like 5 movies and have watched them all 20 times. I can't watch a movie." Then I thought today would be a good day to do that blog post that I keep meaning to write, but I'm too lazy to write because it involves PICTURES. Yes, PICTURES. The magic word. So here we go. If you don't want to read this because you think you might catch whatever I have through the keyboard, I totally understand and hope you have a wonderful day anyway.
Three weeks ago (I think... time is running together) my friends KT and Joe and Rulon came out from BYU to audition at some music schools in Boston. This was my first time being a tour guide, besides when my parents came! I have to admit it was a little daunting trying to entertain such celebrities, but I handled it. Here are a few of the things we did. They all involved eating because the weather was miserable.
Burdick's Hot Chocolate. My. Favorite. Basically I took them to all of the places that I like to go to because I wanted to go there. Classic KT and Joe.
Burdick's Hot Chocolate. My. Favorite. Basically I took them to all of the places that I like to go to because I wanted to go there. Classic KT and Joe.Look at me smiling like a fool! Can I get a cheer for "AWKWARD!
Mike's Past: Somewhere I was hoping to never have to go. Heh. Heh. Heh. Anyway, check out KT and Joe in this classically awkward picture I made them take. The bummer is we cut out the homeless lady on the left! She was so photogenic!
A trip to Boston would not be a trip to Boston without a ride on the T, and the B line at that. I made them. We loved it and didn't even get mugged, bruised, or puked on. Perfect!!!! Look how much they loved it!
And I made them pause for this photo-op, even though it was bitter cold, because we needed a picture of them "outside" in Boston. Duh. And they're even holding Mike's Past(ry) boxes. Best cannoli I've ever had. Only cannoli I've ever had.
And then look who showed up! With his parents, who were nice enough to take us to dinner at another of my favorite places, in tow! The Fearsome Foursome back in biznes.
8 thumbs up for friendship. ohmigosh tender!
And how about a classy picture at a grocery store? Love it.
Other unforgettable moments:
-Practicing with my visitors! It's not often that I have someone I'm entertaining vote that we "practice" as one of our daily activities. Yes!
-We went to hear the BSO Thursday night. My first experience with James Levine and his dancing feet. Elizabeth Rowe premiered Elliott Carter's flute concerto and we saw Mr. Carter at the concert! He's 102, folks.
-Lots of road rage. For some reason I was borderline hysterical with Boston drivers that weekend. It's okay, I'm in rehab. (?)
Such a lovely trip. Katie and Joe were troopers for letting me drag them all over Boston even though they were both sickies. And they auditioned when they were sickies! I get the compassionate award for the month for all of the touristy things I made them do while they were all hopped up on NyQuil (not really NyQuil... something else... but they were all hopped up).
Sorry, that wasn't very funny. I TRIED. I'm still lying in bed thinking things like, "wo is me" and "my life is so hard" and "i should probably will someone my flute" and "ughhhhhhhhhhhhh." So I'm kind of preoccupied with other things. Really important, okay?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)