eyeliner is apparently very important for a singer!

Over the years I've learned that as a performer I simply volunteer myself for all sorts of criticism. As a singer I've heard many honest critiques about my performances, mostly having nothing to do with my singing. Most have to do with things like my wardrobe, that way I stand, or show my teeth or close my eyes. It amazes me, the things that people will notice!! After my performance today I was told by an audience member that I need to underline my bottom lash line with liner. I had just finished singing my heart out and the most important thing that this lady had to say was that I need to put eyeliner under my eye! The hardest part is knowing how to respond to the unwanted makeup tips. I usually just smile and try not to look shocked by the fact that something like that would concern someone so much. I have to say though that those kind of comments really make all the time and money spent pounding notes and refining my vocal technique so worth it!! :)

The Cake

Yesterday we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Achilles Mazda. I had the pleasure of experiencing the celebration from my 2 year old niece's perspective.

And let me tell you, for Julia it was all about the Biiiiiiiiiig Cake!! For an hour and a half all I heard about was the cake. Every conversation would somehow lead back to the cake. During all the meetings and greetings, and even during the speeches from the big wigs at Mazda Canada the only thing that was important was the big blue and white sugar loaded, chocolate imploded, creamy, melt in your mouth cake!!

Me: Julia, let's go see YiaYia and Papu. (a.k.a Julia's grandparent's)
Julia: No Auntie, Let's go see the cake!!

Me: Say "Hi" to Mrs. Blackie, Julia.
Julia: Whoa look at the cake. It's BIIIIIIIG!!!

Me: Julia, aren't the Balloon's pretty
Julia: Yes Auntie, but cake is my favourite!!!

Me: Let's eat some cheese, bread and carrots.
Julia: Nooooooooo Auntie I want the cake.

Me: Julia, are you done eating?
Julia: No, I still need cake.

When it was finally time to cut the cake the excitement was truly overwhelming!!!

(If you look closely you can see Julia in the mirror having a freak out over the cake)

And Boy oh Boy was that cake ever worth the wait!!

Ahhhhhhh, Cake!!!!

Never Let Go

(Photo: MasterWorks Festival '06)

NEVER LET GO
- David Crowder Band
from Remedy

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

When waters rise
and hope takes flight
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful
Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain
And disaster came
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

When waters rose
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful

Ever true

You I know

You never let go
You never let go

You never let go

You never let go

Oh, my soul
overflows
Oh, what love,
oh, what love
Oh, my soul
Fills with hope
Perfect love that never lets go

You never let go
You never let go

You never let go

You never let go

Oh, what love,
Oh what love,
In joy and pain
In sun and rain
You're the same
Oh, You never let go

November Uprooting

It's November. For some reason, November has traditionally been a personal crisis month in my life, something big tends to happen that uproots my pattern of thinking and tests my faith. This year is no exception. I'm struggling to keep faith and hope. I keep reflecting though on my November from last year. It was last year at this time that after a frustrating wait I was finally able to move to Indiana. As I think about all that I experienced during that year there's only one thing that I know for sure - He never left my side. I have to struggle daily to remember, because there seems to be so much blurring that blessed reality. When I do think about all that He is and has been to me, I have hope that my faith can and will be restored.

How Sweet the name of Jesus Sounds
- John Newton

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds
and wipes away his fear.

Dear name, the rock on which I build
my Shield and Hiding place
My never failing treasury filled
with boundless stores of grace.

Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend,
my Prophet, Priest and King
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my end
accept the praise I bring.

On Being an Artist

Sometimes when someone who isn't an artist finds out that I am an opera singer they react as though I live such a glamourous life. I think that because the performing arts tend to have a sense of fantasy associated with it that it's easy to assume that the artists on stage live glamourous lives off stage too. I have to say that my pursuit of a career in the performing arts has been far from glamourous and I'm beginning to realize that if I'm going to do this for the rest of my life I'm in for a tough battle. There is nothing glamourous about it!! It feels like a constant struggle. Even as I begin to find more constant work, there's no sense of stability or security; there's no money; and there's no promise for the future. And as I continue to meet more and more aritsts who have been working in the field for years and years I'm realizing that the sense of instability never really goes away. Lately I've found myself wishing that I didn't choose this life. If only I could just settle for something else, some other career path that at least provides the illusion of security and stability. I know though from experience that for me that kind of life would be miserable and boring. In essence if I chose something else I'd be going against the grain and fighting the Creator who created me to be an artist. It's tempting to want to just settle for another life though.

The lil' Diva is 2!

Yesterday the little Diva turned 2! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by and how much Julia has changed and grown.

Being an Auntie really is the greatest thing ever!

Le Tour d'Hydro

Today as we were driving by a hydro tower just outside of Acton, my 2 year old niece suddenly piped up in the back seat and yelled in an excited toddler scream, "Look Mommy, it's the Eiffel Tower!!!" . . . How cute is that? My sister tells me that Julia learned all about the Eiffel Tower in an episode of Little Einsteins, which happens to be her favourite show. I promised Julia today that when she's old enough I'll take her to see the real Eiffel tower in Paris, France. In the mean time, Julia is teaching me to appreciate the fine architecture of Le Tour d'Hydro:)