What the Beauty Is

This year I have had many opportunities to learn many different musical theatre songs. Each one has touched me in a way I never thought possible. What I love about my current study of voice is it is more than just making it sound pretty...while that is desirable, there is such much about a character than one must find in order to perform it in a way that can communicate and relate to an audience.

I hope I have a chance to blog about some of the other pieces I've learned and that have taught me so much.

But this post is about a song I thought I loved when I first heard it. but actually discovered my true love after working on it for almost 8 months. (and could continue to work on for probably another 8 years...)

"Beauty Is" from the musical Light in the Piazza. 

I have fallen in love with this musical. It was introduced to me over a year ago...but I can't really remember what life was like before knowing it...sounds dramatic I know. but in the life of this musical theatre wannabe junkie...it's reality :)

But this character is amazing. and these lyrics. I learn something new about myself each time I sing them.

A little background (like....briefer than brief!) a young woman and her mom go to Italy, she meets a young man (Italian), they fall in love...la-de-la...of course there are twists and turns and unexpected character development, but since I've never actually seen it (this will be changed in the near future), I don't feel at liberty to share all the Wikipedia synopsis with you :) But the music is glorious.

This is Clara- the beautiful young women (who has a bunch of gorgeous solos/duets in this show!)

I can't get over these lyrics:

"...This is wanting something, this is reaching for it, this is wishing that a moment would arrive.

This is taking chances, this is almost touching what the beauty is...

I have hardly met a single soul, but I am not alone,

I feel known.

This is wanting something, this is praying for it, this is holding breath and keeping fingers crossed,

This is counting blessings...

And the beauty is, when you realize

when you realize someone could be looking for a someone

like you."

Talk about layers of character just filling those lyrics! It's like a whole bunch of self-realization moments all stuffed into a 3 minute melodic line. 

and I've only scratched the surface of what all that means. isn't that exciting?

Oh to be able to express one's self so eloquently. and in song.


**If you'd like to hear the song, here is a good recording of it - a few of my personal opinions of this recording: Katie Clark (the girl performing it) is not my favorite vocalist...but I like her performance as a whole- taking into account her characterization, I like it. And it is the only really good recording of a performance of the song in the show context :)
**If you would like to hear the original broadway recording, here is a link to that :) I LOVE this woman's voice...so beautiful :)

To Remember

Yesterday was a beautiful tradition we have in this country: Memorial Day.

I am so grateful for the many people have given and who continue dedicate their lives in defense of our country. I couldn't help but read this passage from the Book of Mormon:

"And it came to pass that he [Moroni] rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it- In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children- and he fastened it upon the end of a pole...'Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.'"

~Alma 46:12, 20

I feel so blessed to live in this country and to know personally so many people who have sacrificed for the freedoms that we enjoy every day :)

Memorial day is also a day to remember those who have passed on before us. But remembering is something I have pondered a lot through the years. Remembering is not something we do just one day a year. The people I specifically remember on Memorial day, I remember everyday. Because when they left us here on earth, they stayed in my heart and mind. 

Some of my thoughts can be summarize in this song, "Danny Boy"- but BYU's Vocal Point wrote a 3rd verse and I really love it. 

"Oh, Danny Boy, the stream flows cool and slowly, and pipes still call and echo cross the glen. Your broken mother cries and feels so lonely for you have not returned to smile again. So if you've died and crossed the stream before us, we pray that angels met you on the shore, and you'll look down and gently you'll implore us to live so we may see your smiling face once more."

How beautiful is that? I am grateful for the amazing people who have gone before me and are now aiding me in my journey here from the other side of the veil. 

Joshua Kent 

(nephew)

Tyler

(cousin)

Charlene and William

(Grandparents)

Howard DeWitt

(Grandpa)

I love all these members of my family- I think of them every day. I am grateful for my knowledge that I WILL see them again. That promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ influences every decision I make. I want nothing more than to see them and make each one of these people proud of me. 

Kids With Food Opinions

So, I'm not the best cook. I'll be the first to admit it!

But the food I make is edible. isn't that enough?

Obviously, not.

So, I'm nannying over night this week for 2 teens and I feel bad. My cooking has not been up to snuff.

The first night, I made taco salad. Really, you can't mess up taco salad! Well, apparently you can. The younger of the two expressed in passing that he didn't like his meat mixed with refried beans. But that's how you make taco salad...so I went ahead and made it that way. So, he came to dinner and mildly complained and refused to put any meat on his plate.

I felt like nanny of the year. oh, but it gets better.

Then the second night: Hawaiian Haystacks. Simple, right? I boiled the chicken, mixed the cream of chicken and milk and made rice. I was pretty proud of myself. Both kids kept saying how much they liked this meal, so I thought I was safe. The younger even said he never ate it without having seconds. But as they dished up, the younger kid mentioned that the chicken was chewy. I apologized that it wasn't exactly how his mom made it. And he made a little show in saying he wasn't going to have seconds. Wow. I feel great at this point. At least he ate this one though, right? He proceeded to mention to me that tomorrow night was Mac 'n Cheese and just so I knew, his mom put milk in it. Just in case I was wondering.

This morning, I was making sure they were both getting breakfast and he mentioned in passing he would like some scrambled eggs. So I gladly said I would make him some really quick. So I cracked 3 eggs in a pan, scrambled them up and made them. He accepted them graciously and then said "Tomorrow I'll show you how to make...gourmet...scrambled eggs" and explained I should have put the eggs in a bowl, beat them, then add salt, pepper and maybe bacon (or if I was really fancy, I should saute onions)...oops. Sorry for misinterpreting that one...

Then today. Mac 'n Cheese. boxed. but you don't understand. I can't make boxed Mac 'n Cheese. Some kids I used to babysit for actually asked me not to make it for them because I always seemed to mess it up. So here I am, three strikes already. So I took extra time, making sure the noodles were just right. Each ingredient was measured correctly. and tasted the final product multiple times to make sure it tasted normal. I'm not gonna lie, it was good.  I called them for dinner, feeling better cool at this point. They like theirs with a hot dog on the side, so I offered to microwave them for the kids (since I was told that's how they did it...strictly by younger child)...but he didn't even want one.

Yet he ate the mac 'n cheese with not a word to say about it after.

I'm counting it as a success. The joys of nannying kids who are old enough to have opinions.

But I am beginning to fear for my children. poor kids...

Silly Brain :)

ok. I have a few confessions.

1. I don't like the Beatles. I'm so sorry. But in my defense, I've never REALLY been exposed to their music. Everyone just assumes that you love them and I just, don't. At least, from my limited exposure to them, that is my conclusion.

2. I am a serious sucker from Pick-up lines. Seriously. If a guy actually used one on me, I think I might actually give him a chance because I'd be so stunned/amazed that he had the guts to do something so silly.

3. My not-so-secret dream in life is to learn how to Krump. I don't know what else to say. it is true.

4. If I ever gambled, I would get into horse racing. Yes, I watched the Kentucky Derby on Saturday! I had the opportunity to go to the Santa Anita Race Track in seventh grade and we knew someone who's horse was racing her first race. She ended up winning the race and we got to go down into the winner's circle, get our picture taken...oh I loved it! I love movies like Seabiscut and Secretariet - I just love horse racing!

5. I love my long hair. but it spends more time up in a bun than down. But I just can't bring myself to cut it.

6. When I was younger, I LOVED to read. But somewhere between AP classes and choir, I seemed to lose my eager love for it. Isn't that sad? My goal this summer is to get some serious reading in. I miss missing reading. It seems I can go a long time without craving a good book- this is no longer acceptable. I miss staying up late and being disappointed when I finally got so tired I couldn't focus on the words. I know I can get these feelings back...I just have to do it!

7. I love lipstick. but have never had the nerve to wear it on an ordinary day. But I did yesterday. and loved it.

8. I love getting my picture taken- but I find, I do NOT have a photogenic 'serious' face. I wish I did.

9. I love curling my eye lashes. and then putting mascara on them. But I love the curling part!

There you have it. just a little insight into my silly brain :)