Let's Review

Oh my. 

Has it really been a week?

We have been quite busy.  So much has happened.  I have been swamped with trying to...you know....graduate...from that crazy thing called college.  Oh, no big.

  I'm just a little freaked out that in just 6 short weeks I will be wearing blue and black and that funny square shaped hat and I will be singing the Alma Matter in the Georgia Dome for my very own college graduation. *gulp* Can this be?

This picture was taken on the first day of my freshman year of college. I was in front of the School of Music with some of the loveliest of people.  I remember feeling so mature and proud of who I was becoming.  Was I REALLY living on my own?  Could I really make my own schedule?  I had the chance to be who ever I wanted.

I went to college as a vocal performance major doing classical opera.  That means a lot of singing.  A. LOT.  I couldn't wait to grow and learn and soak up whatever I could about music.

Being in the city made me feel brave and strong.  I felt the comfort of the tall buildings around me and the vibrations of the energy of the city.  It was bliss, because despite growing up in the country, I had always been a city girl at heart.

I remember my freshman year of college with this lady as my roommate.  Although we had gone to high school together, our bond solidified in college.

We used to watch the Food Network laying in Jessi's twin dorm room bed and I would lay my head on her chest and she would play with my hair.  We had a passion for Project Runway and Wing-nuts.  I don't know that I have had many people love me as much as she has.  I have felt unwavering love and support from her throughout my life.  When I gave my Senior Voice recital, there she was in the crowd with tears in her eyes, she has always believed in my talent even when I have not.

This is how I spent my college years.  Get ready for a PLOG to the extreme!

Choir with Doctor Raines.  That was the only year that it was genuinely fun for me.  That man knew how to bring a piece to life and push it deep in to your soul.  I've always wondered what has become of him since he left after my freshman year.

a benefit concert I gave

Albert Herring

"Blimey jelly, pink blamanche, seedy cake, seedy cake with icing ooooo on."

opera scenes...who knows what this one was, I think I did about 50.

Choir Tour Sophomore Year.  I remember I didn't shower that morning...

the weirdest thing I have ever been in.

We were asked to do the World Premiere of Milton Granger's "Bluebeard's Waiting Room".  It was a 7 woman opera...it was estrogen to the extreme.

We flew to LA to premiere it in front of the National Opera Convention.  At 19, I felt on top of the world.

Getting ready for my Junior Recital.  

Oh the BUTTERFLIES WERE SWARMING MY TUMMY!

Despite what my sister may say about disliking my singing (because she has heard it her whole life) she always seems to know all of my lyrics better than me.  I know she secretly loves it.

Understudy for Cunegonde

Kaitlyn's beautiful Savannah Wedding

A new stop in the road: Opera on Tap

My FINAL RECITAL.  My mother made my dress.  It was the practice dress before she made my wedding dress.  Other than my voice teacher, I learned the most from this guy, Dr. Marshall.  I love that angry little man, what a genius.

As my years of college come to a close I hear the same question over and over again, "So. what's next?"  

Really...

I have no clue.  

But I am so excited to make my own path doing what I love to do and I'm going to try my best at it.  I feel so blessed to have been touched by all of my friends and teachers in college.  There have been times when I have felt completely and utterly incapable and there have been times when I leave the classroom feeling over-the-moon happy, elated, and fulfilled.

"Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study.  Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life."  

~Henry L. Doherty