8 down, 22 to go

So I have this idea that I want to lose 30 lbs (from my heaviest, which might be more than you'd think). If I don't actually get to 30 lbs that's cool the whole point of having the big number goal is that it will keep me motivated. The real point is I have lost about 8 lbs since May 16 and I am so excited about it. It's one of those things I feel like if I don't tell everyone I know I might let myself become not so accountable about it and then I'm back to lying on the couch eating bags of salty chips (OK, I didn't do that very often before, just making a point).

I am the kind of person that needs to know someone else did it a certain way. I am not very good with just coming up with my own plans when it comes to food. I can pick out healthy stuff and I love to eat it but I didn't seem to be able to translate healthy eating into a slimmer waist. In this case I was watching The Today Show, probably while changing a diaper on a job, and they were talking with the author of The Flat Belly Diet. For some reason I was just hooked. I thought, "that's what I am going to do." And I did, and it totally delivered, so I give it a recommend.I won't wax poetic on the book but I will say I liked it and it definitely helped jump start me in the right direction and since the weight loss and slimming was so quick it was really really helpful in keeping me motivated.

Since then I have been exploring various other light cooking methods/books/systems/etc. Just recently I found out about the Hungry Girl line of cookbooks, yada, yada. My offer to make some Hungry Girl recipes has my fiance Kasey beside himself. He has also just jumped on the get-smaller-clothes bandwagon and was pleased at the prospect of healthy low-cal fries, onion rings, and other yummies.

Other current obsession: Ashtanga Yoga!
Starting a regular yoga practice has made working out so much easier. I used to LOATHE the elliptical because my knees and back would be in so much pain. Since I have been working with connecting with my body and focusing on supporting my body with muscles I have relieved a lot of the tension. YOGA BONUS: more strength, flexibility, and peace! :)

My favorite wedding venue (so far)

My mom and I have visited four potential wedding venues over the past two days. My favorite so far is Crowne Plaza Northstar in Minneapolis, MN.

This is why. You get an amazing suite for free on the night of your wedding. They give you a good price on the block of rooms reserved for your guests. They have an outdoor rooftop terrace to have your wedding ceremony. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. It's a prime location for out-of-towners to mill about the city on foot. Also, out-of town guests can easily manage the entire weekend car-less, which will be nice considering almost everyone will be coming from some non-Minnesota location.

I took some pictures while were there and there are some from other people's weddings (you'll be able to tell which is which):

This is the patio we saw today; they're resurfacing the floor or something like that.

This is what it looks like in August set up for a wedding:
Neat, huh?

Here are a couple photos I snapped of one of the suites. It's pretty sweet:

That room opens to another king-sized room, if you wanted to invite the whole family to stay with you ;)


This is the foyer outside the ballroom that serves as the back-up space for the "social hour" in case of inclement weather.

The ballroom today was set up for a meeting or something.

But it might look like this for a wedding, to get an idea:

Basically, it's all happening. I guess I just can't believe that people plan weddings in three months. I feel stressed and it's like a year and a half away. I'm glad I only plan on doing this one time.

The other hotels we went to were all great and a few are still in the running, this one is just the current favorite!

My Christmas Vacation

With my trip back to Oklahoma looming tomorrow afternoon I feel it is time to give the round up of my week in MN and my Christmas with my family.

Starting with "A Day in the Life of an Elf"
It's a animatronic holiday display put on by Macy's in downtown Minneapolis every year with a different theme. This theme feature elves in different stages of the day preparing for Christmas.

...Elves making candy canes...

...Elves eating chocolate...

...and a pig dancing in front of a group of animals decorating a Christmas tree were just a few of the delightful scenes.

We went as a family before, 13 years ago, and when my mum and I got there we remembered why. The line to get in was epic and comprised (obviously) of families with small children. But it was fun and worth the wait. Plus my mum is a blast to be with and we got some shopping in afterward!

Between cool new treats like honey comb on blue cheese (sounds crazy, tastes great) and yoga classes, I got a lot of practicing done, and planned my recital program for March, probably making it the most productive vacation I can remember. Here's the cheese thing, btw:

Serve it on a cracker or similar for best results

Christmas day came and went in record time as usual and we had a great time exchanging gifts

Christmas morning (and yes that is a photo of me and my adult brother in the corner)

Personally, I am coming back with so many wonderful things I can't be thankful enough. I couldn't think of very many things I wanted but I got those things and more. I feel like I have maintain an attitude of gratefulness. I find it difficult not to get caught up in the desire for more stuff (I think we all do) but my current storage space problem definitely kept my imagination in check when it came to asking for Christmas presents.

My parents, brother, and I went out to see Up in the Air the day after Christmas. It was good not great but pretty much exactly what I thought it was going to be. Overall I thought it was a sincere effort and although I wouldn't go see it a second time I would think it's worth the time even it you want to wait for the redbox release.

Right now I am sitting on the couch and watching 60 minutes next to my dozing grandmother and it really feels like the holidays.

Happy New Year!

Holiday vacation resolutions

I started my new years resolutions early. I have started working out regularly, eating better and more consciously, and also practicing smarter and harder.

I had taken an extremely long sabbatical from regular singing. I think one of the major lessons I have learned from this year away from academia is how self-motivated one must be to continue moving forward in this career. I feel like I have always "known" this but being in school I never really had to put it into practice. There was always something to prepare for like the next show, recital, jury, or lesson. Without even the motivating power of weekly lessons (and by my last year in school I was taking two and a half hours of lessons/coaching every week, so spoiled!) it's easy to get distracted by things like food and sleep and my inner voice, whose mantra apparently is "don't worry about it, you have all day tomorrow to practice."

After a small series of auditions for summer work etc. I found myself once again feeling totally apathetic to the act of productive directed singing on a daily basis. It wasn't until I realized that just because I was done with those auditions that I wasn't done with singing for the season. I decided to give myself a real plan for my singing goals. My plan not only includes an overhaul of my aria package (tidying up all the loose ends I have been meaning to get around to) but also adding a full role to my repertoire AND performing a full recital. All of this is to be accomplished in a mere three months. Impressed? So am I. I have sketched out a calendar of mini goals and deadlines within my three month time frame and am feeling beyond confident about it. I do have a couple of recent personal discoveries to help me a long the way:

1. My new method of practicing: I record my entire practice sessions and while I am practicing I listen back to parts of the recording. It gives me an accurate representation of the sound I am making (because we all know that trying to listen to yourself while singing is a BAD idea). I also talk to myself in the recording about what I am feeling and thinking about an approach to a phrase or after I have sung something. Doing this helps me record how I approached some musical item so I can attempt to continue doing it correctly and keep improving. I seriously endorse this practicing method for anyone who is beyond the point of requiring a teacher's presence every time you open your mouth. Practicing like this has totally transformed my productivity and focus in the practice room. It's like taking a voice lesson from yourself. This was a method suggested to me by a professor at Eastman (from my visit in October). It is amazing.

2. Practicing an hour at least everyday: Even when I don't want to or don't have time or energy to practice I force myself to do some productive singing (not just sing through some things). When I don't have enough energy I only vocalize and work on technique because I know that it will force me to focus, where as i might be tempted into just singing if I work on repertoire. If I'm sick I speak through my repertoire and work on interpretation. Basically, I'm trying to follow the "just do it" philosophy. Which leads right into my next motivator.

3. Do something for my career everyday: This is a philosophy I have heard of from a variety of sources and when I feel like putting something off I just think of this sentiment and feel inspired to persevere. Honestly, I think this statement can apply to so many things including practicing and exercising, both of which can help sharpen my skills and image.

No time to waste now, back to practicing.

Life, always getting in the way of my plans!

So Saturday when I was supposed to be making my nourishing soup I was so sick and tired I slept the entire day after getting home from work (*ugh!*). I had made my stock the night before and popped it in the fridge intending to finish the next day and I didn't get around to it until now.

Ok, the stock is AWESOME! It actually tastes like chicken broth (as it should) and has totally validated my renegade cooking style. When it comes to food I lean to the fearless side. Generally I manipulate recipes or forgo them all together. When I taste something I like that I want to make (as long as it isn't a cake, but I'm getting there with baked goods as well) I say to myself, "I'm sure I could figure it out." Honestly, sometimes it works, sometimes not so much, but this time I OWNED that chicken stock.

I think next time I'm going to try the tips and tricks described in Mother Linda's Chicken Stock 101. I also cannot wait to try cooking beef and fish stock now being all inspired about broth.

I made the broth into a chicken soup with my chicken pieces I had retained and rice stick noodles. Sort of a faux phở in honor of Kasey's favorite soup.

**CONFESSION** we've been cheating on the food plan. It is working and would've completely worked if I had been able to convince my better half to have lentil soup for lunch four days straight. I as well grew weary. My note for next week is to include more variety in the meals to keep us to the plan. I will say we haven't strayed often and we've gone out way less than we normally do. I'll be making a plan for next week tomorrow.

Two days, one chicken

So after making Cornish game hens a couple of weeks ago and helping with the super delicious turkey this past Thanksgiving I thought it was time for me to try my hand at a whole chicken solo. I roasted a chicken in the oven which is more difficult than I thought it would be (it didn't cook all the way so I had to put it back in the oven after I had cut it up) but it was yummy. I served it with kale and potatoes.

Why make a whole 4lb chicken for only two people? Because, this chicken is going to get me through more than one meal. Tomorrow I'm going to try making pho for the first time... well not exactly, more like Asian style chicken noodle soup (more on that tomorrow). Tonight I will be making my very own chicken stock from the carcass and giblets.

Wish me luck, it's a lot of firsts for 24 hours.

More bacon

Hey-o! Just finished my Thursday night shows and I'll tell you what, I am feeling full of Christmas cheer.

Today's menu was a little less exciting. I made salad with bacon and hard eggs for me with dressing made out of omega oil blend and lemon juice (it was delicious) and fried eggs, bacon, and toast with a side salad for Kasey because i didn't want to scare him with healthy dressing.

Keeping in healthy trend of the day I started a new work out routine. My friend Peyton posted an article that I found so motivating I made it my new home page.

Music news: I have been pulling my hair out trying to come up with pieces to fill out a lent recital. I think I'm halfway there. I just hope my pianist will be cool with the music I pick out.