Wake Up!!!

I found this on YouTube and HAD to share.

This piece was something we did in high school. It was an instant favorite because of the strong emotion and amazingly uplifting ending. We sang it as our final piece at our senior choir concert and cried like little girls (especially you, Katie G).

You MUST follow along with the lyrics, as the poetry is 50% of the beauty of this piece.

Your heart and soul will rejoice right along with it, I promise!



I dreamed a dream,
a silent dream of a land not far away
where no bird sang, no steeples rang, and teardrops fell like rain.

I dreamed a dream; a silent dream.
I dreamed a dream of a land so filled with pride
that every song, both weak and strong, withered and died.

I dreamed a dream
No hallelujah; not one hosanna!
No song of love, no lullaby.
And no choir sang to change the world.
No pipers played, no dancers twirled.
I dreamed a dream; a silent dream.

Awake, awake! Soli deo gloria! Awake, Awake!
Awake my soul and sing, the time for praise has come.
The silence of the night has passed, a new day has begun!

Let music never die in me; forever let my spirit sing!
Wherever emptiness is found let there be joy and glorious sound.

Let music never die in me; forever let my spirit sing!
Let all our voices join as one to praise the giver of the sun!

Awake, awake! Let music live!

Ouf.

Pool time was rough on Sunday. Weather was beautifully perfect. Company was wonderful (Ana, Andrea, Alishia and Katie Z. (and hubby)). Hangover was unbelievably awful.

Yay :-/

(Let's just say that there was some vomiting involved. Kids, don't drink and hottub at the same time. It's bad for you.)

POOL TIME!

This weekend marks the start of POOL TIME for me!!! I'm soooo excited.

Check your phone for a text from me and let me know if/when you're coming. I'm assuming there will be plennnnty of people out there, since it's opening weekend, but I'll get down there early to grab a good spot (our corner).

Yay sunshine!

Housing Update!

OK, time to talk about something happeeeeeey!

As you may or may not know, B and I are moving mid-August. HOORAY!!! We're headed to NE Minneapolis and are thrilled at the coming change.

The purpose of our relocation is to be closer to school for me (so I can walk, bike, or bus there) and to "downsize" in terms of cost.

And also to get out of the effing Burlington.

Although I can't hate it as much now that the pool opened yesterday....!!!

Our new place is an upper unit duplex. It has refinished (aka "gleaming!) hardwood floors, original woodwork around the "archways" and windows, updated kitchen, clawfoot tub, a cute front porch and other fun. There are some really great features about this place. The rent was the cheapest we found, the landlord is great and really put together, it has free laundry, storage in the basement, good space in the kitchen.... oh yeah, and we get our own front door. Finally!

Here are a few pics for your viewing:


Front of house (duhr). We're the upstairs unit. See the cute porch? I can't wait to put flowers and chairs and a table out there :-)

Front-side: windows along the side there are living room, dining room (2), kitchen (2) and then a strange little porch. I think we'll put a trash bin there. Or recycling. Or the kitties when they're nauuuughty.

Kitchen (duhrrr): only this wall has cabinets, but there's a big original built in on the other side. Stove is gas (victory) and there's room in the center for an island/cart of some sort.

The right door leads into the bathroom, and the left door to the 2nd bedroom/"guestroom" (back right corner of house)

And here's my dorked up little floor plan (not actual size) -- you can click it to see the image full size.

Cute place, yes? We're very excited. You can certainly expect more pictures to come as we head back in once we're "tenants."

HOORAY!!!!!!!

Ponderings

I'm having a hard time today. I've had a lottt to think about lately on this subject and it hasn't become any easier.

I sort of feel like I've been tossed back into grade school, what with all the friend drama and fluctuating alliances. Honestly, I didn't sign up for this, I never meant to get in this deep. I'm past grade school, past college and no longer need to entertain faux friendships. Or so I thought.

Life is seemingly all about politics. And I hate that. No, not just in your work life / professional life. Personal relationships have their own version. Some know how to play the game better than others. Some don't. It gets confusing, frustrating and often times you end up getting hurt.

But alas, at this point in the state of things, it's best to just get through things as cleanly and smoothly as possible; I need to ride it out a bit longer and then the charade can end. I want SO BADLY to deal with it now, directly, plainly, simply and maturely, but that's not what's best for those I care for.

What happened?? How did I get to this point in my life where my friends give me this much anxiety and worry? I stay up at night thinking about it, I cry because I feel lonely with no one to talk to (well, Brian listens, but I feel bad for dumping on him), and I fear what may become of certain friendships if I acknowledge my feelings aloud.

I'm very honestly and truly hurt. Why did I waste my time entertaining all of this bullshit? I knew it wasn't the real thing over a year ago, and yet here I am.

So.... if you look at your "list" and think about calling those friends in your time of need, who do you trust to pick up the phone?

I need a hug.

It's time.

"I just feel like I have so much to say but no good place to share it. Oh wait, that blog thing...."

HEY, friends! It's me :-)

Bet you've stopped reading.

Well, things have been really busy. Really frickin busy. Between twice weekly softball games, trying to find a new place to live, visitors, showers, friends, clients, and family stuff, my head is kind of spinning!

The best bet for me is always an outline format. Eliminates that whole extra complication of transitions....

1. The pool is still fucking closed. Softball friend Taylor just moved to the Burlington and can see the progress (whereas my place doesn't have a view). Let's just say that there isn't any. I'm seriously furious and it's definitely caused a big hit to my emotional health.... it's the absolute foundation of my happiness in the summer months and now every nice day I get serious pangs of anxiety feeling like I should be out, by water, somewhere. Hey doc, I need a boost in my SSRI dosage.... yep.

But is there anything I can do about it? It was estimated to be finished by, well, yesterday, and clearly isn't anywhere close. I wish I could get a discounted rent, but I'm afraid to ask....

2. Business is good. Not referring to my day job, obviously. Although that's fine as well. I've booked a number of clients and just did two last week. I'm thinking of starting a separate blog through my makeup website detailing some of my work with the clients and such. Kind of make it a bit more personal and make the potentials and even those that I've already booked feel a little more "in" on the inner-most workings of the arteeest.

So, here's the schedule:
June 23rd -- did a boudoir session, super fun! I love doing these because of the extra "va va voom" factor. Everyone wants to vamp it up.

June 27th -- bride + others. Bride looked exactly like Kendra from Girls Next Door (except 35 and not annoying). Gorgeous!! Did her 15 year old daughter, and her 70 year old mother(s), so there was a good range.

July 11th -- another boudoir shoot shot by pal photographer "Callie V."
July 25th -- bride + others
August 8th -- bride + others
August 15th -- Erin's wedding!! Bride, mother, bridesmaids, self...
August 22nd -- Ashley's wedding to my cousin Mike!! Bride, bridesmaids....
September 12th -- Lisa's wedding!! Not sure of who....
September 26th -- Cretin Derham Hall homecoming girls
October 9th -- bride + others
October 17th -- bride + others

Then I start school on October 20th.... holy cow!

3. Softball is going -- and I have the MOTHER of all bruises on my right thigh. It's literally larger than my hand. It's about 6" in diameter. A fast hit, low-flying ball took a hop off the ground and nailed me. Yeeeowtch!

We WERE doing great until we had a game cancelled -- we've tanked ever since.

4. That's all I can manage for right now.... because otherwise I'll get distracted and never finish.

Hope you've enjoyed!