making music in NYC

With the holidays finally over (I realize that the holidays have long been over, but in retail-land, the stress has just subsided), I decided to devote more of my time to music. I got in contact with a few community orchestras and asked if I could audition to be in their ensemble (even though they are almost done with their concert season). One got back to me right away and said that I can play with them for their last concert! Yippee! I'm excited because I haven't gotten to play the full Brahms Requiem before. I went to the first rehearsal tonight and I had a lot of fun. The group was just sight-reading (mind you, an extremely challenging work) so there were some definitely less than shining moments, but I really liked the conductor.

If you'd like to make a trip out to NYC to visit me, come in June and listen to the BCCO play the Brahms Requiem!

and here's some Sangria cuteness!

running is hard

I decided that I should start exercising again. Now that winter is over I need to be more active and get outside. I went for a run today. The last run I went on was when I was living in Oshkosh on Merritt Avenue... so a long time ago.

I decided that I could do 2 miles but I didn't take the uphill part of the bridge into account. Exhausting, but all in all, a fairly successful outing. Hopefully I can keep this up.

look what I made!

http://michitales.tumblr.com/

2011 Lent (of shame)

Sean and I decided that we should participate in Lent this year. I've never given up anything for Lent and didn't even know any details about this yearly event. According to Wikipedia, "Lent, in the Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter." Apparently, there are free-pass days: "The six Sundays in this period are not counted because each one represents a 'mini-Easter,' a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death." Because we'e only human, we added an Apt 35 rule: We can use the non-participatory Sundays on different days if needed. (i.e. I was out of town this past Friday and Saturday and couldn't do my goal so I've used two of my Sundays)

Because Sean and I decided to participate, we thought it only fitting to (nicely) drag Matt along with us. Roommate bonding time! We decided that we should post our results everyday on our fridge to hold each other accountable and shame ourselves into following through.

Michi: Practice every day for at least 1 hour

Sean: Lose at least 12 pounds (go to the gym every day)

Matt: No eating after midnight

NYC adventure time begin!

I've finally decided that I'm actually going to go out and do things in the city! Tiredness has been a big deterrent for me in the past, but no more!

Last week I made a spontaneous decision to go to an "Eight Blackbird" concert at the Armory with some friends. The armory was a military facility and social hall built during the civil war. The 55,000 square foot drill hall is used for all sorts of things like concerts and trade shows. The group sounded phenomenal and I'm so glad that I got to hear some good contemporary music.

Rick and I are making plans to go do things like scavenger hunts in the city:

http://watsonadventures.com/schedule.html

and run the amazing race!

http://manhattan.about.com/od/eventsandattractions/ss/amazingnewyorkrace.htm

I can't wait!

playoff party

snow and coconuts

We had a massive snow storm in NY the other day. It was bad. At times I felt like I was back in Wisconsin with hail-snow hitting me in the face. The snow here isn't usually the bad part, it's the aftermath. From everyone walking and the temperature not actually being that cold, the snow starts to melt and turn into a brown, slushy mess. Disgusting. Rain boots are necessary. Although, the fresh white of the snow always does look lovely. This is the tree outside of my apartment building.

The other day was Rick's 25th bday and we went out for an amazing dinner at Rye in Williamsburg. The best part was that I finally got to experience Rick and Andrew's famous coconut cake. So! Good! I didn't realize how a coconut "works." Very strange. I'm intrigued and am now contemplating getting a drill to make some macaroons.