Here I Am

I really am alive. Last week was what my friends termed "flute hell."

But I survived. Post coming soon.

Who knew she was the big 2-2?

Happy Birthday to my little Judester.

Jane Austen is her fave.

Unusually good sleeper.

Drop dead gorgeous smile.

Yes, she can quilt like nobody's business.

Don't worry, she's just in Paris studying abroad.

Every night (okay, I have no recollection, but I think MOST nights) dad took me and my little Jude to bed the sack o' taters way. Weren't we just the cutest? Look how much hair dad has! I remember: playing barbies, school, pretend, tag (even though she always ran inside when she got tagged), having a partner in crime to set all of the stinkin mermaid traps, swimming, monopoly, dress up, dancing to mariah carey and whitney houston (yeah baby), convincing me that country music wasn't so bad, doing my hair when mom wouldn't do it anymore, abusing me with beanie babies :) (I'm sorry I had to include that), helping me convince babysitters that we WERE allowed to rollerblade in the house, and riding to high school together.

I'm so thankful God gave me a sister like Jude. We needed each other. And we still do.

Haaaaaappy Birthday!

And there are sirens outside my house. That is my cue to go to bed.

April always was my favorite.

I am sorry. I've been posting way too many pictures lately. But I just can't help it. There have been too many picture-worthy happenings. Here's April for you.

First I went to a Celtics Game.


This is at work before the Celtics Game. Just proof that I borrowed my coworker's wife's jersey. Kind of awkward, but whatever. I don't even know who's jersey it was.

This is AT the game. Talk about AWESOME seats. Very fun game and date.

April 19th was a crazy day. Crazy. I woke up at 3:45 a.m. (please bear this in mind when viewing all of these pictures) and my friends Casey and Allen came and picked me up at 4:00 and then we went and picked up our friend Courtney and headed out to Lexington to see a reenactment of the Battle of Lexington! I think we got to Lexington around 5. We waited around for about 45 minutes.... this picture and the following were taken while waiting... (um and please notice that I still had to be wearing my ridiculous MARSHMALLOW COAT)
When it got closer to 6 Allen volunteered to let me have a shoulder seat because it was so packed and I couldn't see that battlefield at all. So here we are.This is when the redcoats started loading their bayonets because they were going to kill all of the good guys.

Okay, you have to be honest-- this is the awesomest picture you ever saw! This is when the battle was happening, of course.

Me and Courtney after the battle. Couple of rockstars.

This is our group after the battle. What is funny is that at the time this picture was taken we thought this picture was incredible and should be printed in the New Era or something. Now that I look at it again I'm not so sure.... so anyway after this I went back home and slept for 2 hours or something.

But it was also Marathon Monday, so I went down and caught a little bit of the Boston Marathon. They ran right by MY RESERVOIR. The very one. Only like 5 minutes away. And all you can really see in this picture are the policemen, but there are a few runners in there. It was inspiring.

A few days before my recital, my friend Hannah came out to visit Boston and take some private lessons, so we did some touristy things.

This is the Harvard Pep Band on Harvard Campus... such a nice day.

Bunker Hill Monument courtesy of the Freedom Trail.Just a shot of Charlestown... don't know why I'm including this.

And this is me with my favorite bridge in the background. And we found a tulip stand when we were walking the Freedom Trail downtown (bouquets were like $2), so I bought some to bring home. Fer cute, right?

Anyway, I will have a more legit post soon. Not today.

Recitaling.

Picture dump first.

Stephanie, Melanie (my amazing friend who made the beautiful reception happen), Me, and Leah

A little Bach Partita all alone

Martinu trio for flute, cello, and piano. Listening to recordings, this is one of the best pieces from my recital.

Oh look it's me.

Me with my cellist, Eric, and accompanist, Ayako. I loved working with Ayako especially. Fantastic.

Me and Brad.. Aren't we just the cutest? Why are you moving?!

Me with some of the flute contingent that came out to support. Great players, all of them.

Me and Anita. Love that girl.

Me and Florence, one of my flute students. She brought me flowers. SO adorable. I LOVE being her teacher.

Me and Linda. She has changed my life.

Um yeah that's the reception table. Adorable, I know. Thank you , MELANIE!

Graduate Recital #1: Check.

The first recital of my graduate career happened last Saturday, April 24th. It was mostly successful. A few minor glitches, but I did it. Things I learned:

1. Don't start a recital with Gaubert Sonata no. 1 (this is the one in the videos). I had been warned about this, but didn't think it would be a big deal. It was a little scary.

2. My friends are the best.

3. You have to be thinking THE WHOLE TIME when you play the Bach Partita.

4. Don't try to turn the phone on speaker so your parents can hear. Yikes.

Things I already knew, but remembered:

1. Always get a good night's sleep the night before. Unless you are me and your body is psycho and you wake up at 6:30 because you are crazy.

2. Do a nice good long carb load the night before. And if you need a good pasta recipe just ask.

3. Giving a recital is fun.

4. One of the most important parts of being a good flutist is being a good actress. Even if you are scared you must pretend you are not. Pretend believably.

5. Music makes people happy.

6. Breathe deeply and laugh when you are backstage.

And I am trying to post the rest of the Gaubert Sonata that I posted last Saturday, but blogger is being a pain. That might happen at a later date.