Best of...Jan 13 - 17

Best Day
This Wednesday, I went to the American Museum of Natural History with my friend Jessica. Wait but hold on, let me back up. The week before this I saw this picture when I randomly looked up from my phone. I then posted a pic on my IG feed and Jessica said she had a membership there and we'd be able to go for free. The power of social media!!! So beside getting to see the amazing museum, we went to see the incredible new feature Dark Universe in the Big Bang Theater. I was so into it, especially since he talked about Supernovas. Which I have deemed my favorite Outer Space phenomena beside Black Holes.

Best foodie moment
Also on Wednesday, as per tradition, we went to the local Uno just up the street from the museum and had their lunch special. While I was profoundly disappointed with the pizza and salad I ate, Uno redeemed itself with this absurdly delicious White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Sundae. It was a mini-dessert so I was like okay whatevs!

Favorite Look of the Week 
Hmm, well ALSO on Wednesday (probably my favorite day this week out of all the days), it was warm enough (at first) to break out that Houndstooth Jacket my mom bought me. Here I am pictured with an entire day time diva look...which, now that I think about it, was entirely put together by my mother haha!

One day, I'll get a close-up full length photo

Sunglasses: Steve Madden

Coat: Ashley Stewart

Jeans: Avenue [Denim]

Boots: Lane Bryant online

Purse: Marshall's (Steve Madden)

7th City: New Orleans - The Saenger Theatre {Tour Life} Part I

In October 2013, I went on my first National Tour with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. I sang the Abyssinian Mass written by Mr. Marsalis with Chorale Le Chateau led by Damien Sneed. 

There are so many things to say about my visit to this incredible town, which is why this will be a two-parter. I don't want to leave anything out. It was around this time that I started to realize that my life had taken the most excellent upward swing. The magic of the tour was really showing itself and this particular leg was when it really started.

Firstly, the trip from Augusta to New Orleans was 12 hours long. Somehow, this was the most comfortable 12 hours I've ever experienced. We made some really good pit stops, including one with a HUGE Barnes and Noble & a Waffle House (duh, winning!) Not to mention that a mom of one of the mezzos in the choir (hey Amber!) made us all pie.

Maria, Jonathan, and Josh!

Even our rest stops were magic and fun. We needed to stretch our legs so naturally, NATURALLY everyone went outside and started dancing. What a blessing and treasure to know that there is a legion of musicians/performers who are on the same eccentric level as you.

Bobby and Martin!

I think we got to the Hyatt Regency, which was my most favorite hotel, around 8pm or 9pm. I'm pretty sure I was still sleeping so I was moving rather sluggishly to get off the bus. I noticed a small commotion outside of the bus but figured everyone was just excited to finally be in NOLA. Nope, turns out, Bobby Brown was outside the hotel, just minding his business smoking a cigarette. Maybe I dreamed that, I don't know, nothing seemed real anymore. But the fact of the matter is, Bobby Brown really WAS there and I was totally going to go do the running man with him. I wanted to say "Too hot to handle, too cold to hold, they called the Ghostbusters and they in control!". But I decided against that and just told him how big of a fan I am and that I did earnestly still listen to his greatest hits quite regularly. He asked me what I did for a living and I told him I was an opera singer on tour with WM and JALC and then, Bobby Brown imitated an opera singer and sang opera to me. Because, well, you know, of COURSE.

I was completely unprepared for the majesty that awaited me when I walked into the hotel. OH THE MAJESTY. It was like a cruise ship sailing to Narnia. And there were two Starbucks inside the hotel itself. I mean, sign me up! There were direct flight elevators and chandeliers and jazz clubs and restaurants. The tv even greeted me when I got to the room. Just, what? But I had to get ready for an event in town that one of the tour girls put together so I didn't fully take everything in. Next thing I knew, me and the girls were taking in the sights and the sounds of the French Quarter. It was there that I partook in my first mouthwatering, perfectly seasoned, crispy, exceptional, heavenly Shrimp Po' Boy from a local hole in the wall. If someone a year ago when I quit my day job told me that I'd be standing in New Orleans, in perfect weather, mid-October, eating a shrimp po' boy (that I still dream about to this day), after being sung to by Bobby Brown, while on tour with Wynton Marsalis, well I'd tell them they had a very active imagination.

Lauren, Belinda, Me, Anne!

YUP!

Happy New Year! {Resolutions}

Could've had a V8!

Look at how bold I am, making resolutions and putting them on the internet for everyone to hold me accountable for! I noticed a lot of people on my FB feed and on IG saying that they're not making resolutions this year. I'm wondering why? Is it because making a resolution means that we have resolved to stop doing this one not-so-good thing that we kept doing last year? Is it because it makes us feel like we need to improve and if don't we've failed? Well what's wrong with improving? I improve every year and even when I feel at my best, there's still way more I can do. So I say, I SURELY have some resolutions and I'm going to tell you all right now.

5 Things I'm vowing to do (more of) this year

At our first spot, pretending to have missed the train

1. More Gym Dates/Active Outings

A couple weeks ago, I went on a Scavenger Hunt throughout NYC. It was on a Sunday and it lasted 3 hours. Do you know what I normally do for 3 hours on Sundays? Bottomless Boozy Brunches. Which, don't get me wrong, are AMAZING and perfect.  If you enjoy Mimosas, Pancakes and/or Steak and Eggs at the same time, please go do this this year. But the amount of fun I had running around the city doing this Scavenger Hunt reminded me that I don't need to be lazy AND turn my brain off just because it's the weekend. I actually really love using the ole noggin. And I enjoy being active. I'm also part of a really great gym (Crunch Fitness) that offers really fun classes (Zumba, hip hop dance, etc) and there's no reason that I can't round up a few friends to take these classes with me. It translates better to me than "I'm going to be hitting the gym like crazy in 2014". Sure I will, but I'd prefer an active lifestyle to become something I do forever, not just because it's January 1st. 

2. Cooking at home

My first attempt at ribs = flavor explosion

After all my tour life excitement and social butterflying, I got into the habit of dining out and ordering take out PERHAPS too often. Some people started asking me when exactly do I cook. Beside how I'm eating being, really none of anyone's business, I did have to ask myself the same question. Along the years, I've become quite the chef and most of the time I can cook up something real nice for myself. And you, if you're lucky! 

3. More gratitude

Gratitude comes in all forms. I started practicing gratitude two years ago and it changed my life. Just being thankful for the smallest things, the train arriving minutes after I get into the station, a warm breeze on a Spring evening, picking a really sweet apple...I mean you NAME IT. And when you're grateful for the little things, oh the grand things you shall receive. That would explain why every single amazing thing that happened to me on tour was a brain explosion.

4. Saying YES

And being on faculty with Tony Danza is also awesome

I'm an introverted extrovert who doesn't like spontaneity. I'm also a product of a "well, are they paying?" mindset and I'm not entirely sure where I got that from. In 2013, I said yes to so many things that didn't necessarily pay me but left me feeling richer than I could imagine. Last year, I sang National Anthems at events that led to further networking opportunities. I volunteered to be the Social Media manager with a company and the work I've done with them will end up helping me move forward in my own career. I even said yes to singing in a musical that is being considered to head to Broadway (!!!!) The most rewarding of all these just-say-YES opportunities is my position at the All Stars Inc. in Manhattan. I got to teach inner city children how to sing and expose them to opera. Working with them helped me remember why I sing and how incredibly brave I am to do it as often as I do. 

5. Doing what I love more

Includes: Read more books, Travel and explore more places, Blog more (done and done!), See more Live Shows, and Sing more! MOAR.

Bonus: Being unapologetically myself

And this goes hand in hand with the previous point. I'm a nerd, I love to read, I'm SUPER GIRLY, I want to go to tea parties. I'm still a kid at heart, video games are awesome...I'm not afraid to stand in the Nintendo World store and play the newest video games out. And who cares if that's quirky, that's who I am. And when I'm unapologetically ME, that's when I'm truly the happiest.

I wish you all the most successful year yet. 

Happy New Year!

What a Tremendous Year! {Favorite things Part I}

There's no way I'm going to be able to talk about all my very favorite things of 2013 in one post, so maybe I'll spend the next week or so looking back on it. For now, here are my favorite albums, nails swatches, and vacations of this year.

Albums I listened to in their entirety for days at a time:

20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake (because I mean, who didn't)

When JT had this on iTunes for the preview, I was so surprised at how non-Justin Timberlake-y it sounded. It was like this complete work of art that he made with no pressure or expectations for a radio single. I couldn't get enough of the album and felt like if he extended each song 10 minutes longer, I would've been okay with that. 

On repeat: Blue Ocean Floor

Three Kings by TGT 

Makes me think of this sultry summer. Finally a bunch of low voices on an album together. And what amazing writing. Tank KILLED every entrance, background vocal, solo line, hook on this album. I also want to add that I never even noticed that the album was called something beside TGT.

On repeat: Explode

Random Access Memories by Daft Punk 

What a dope album, reminds me of my mini-vacay to Virginia Beach in May. Daft Punk aficionados say this isn't their best though. Upon further investigation of their catalog, I discovered that they are right. But this was still an album I listened to for days and days.

On repeat: Doin' it Right

Honorable Mention: Beyoncé's self titled album, Dreamboat Annie by Heart, Rhythm and Repose by Glen Hansard

Favorite nail designs

I like to keep it simple in most situations but I always add an accent nail (or Party Nail as some people inexplicably call it) or two to express my style. I'm generally a bit of a Plain Jane fashion wise so I use my nails as the chance to be bold. These are a few of my favorites this year because of the textures and the blend with my skin color. I've always been a fan of anything that is includes glitter and sparkles, and I love metallic effects.

As the year progressed, I became slightly obsessed with Holographic effects and will probably bring that into the new year. 

Can't get enough of: Flying Monkeys by OPI and Beyond Cozy by Essie

Favorite Destinations

Miami (this deserves a separate  post)

VA Beach

New Orleans (This is definitely getting a separate post)

I was going to include food in this post, but I could just go on and on. Maybe later in the week. But here are a few favorite food things in NYC worth mentioning: 

The Poblano Ranch Dressing at Just Salad specifically the one on 7th ave in Park Slope

The Grand Avenue Latte at Outpost in Brooklyn

Artichoke Pizza from Two Boots on the UWS

Braised Short Rib Pasta from Atrio Wine Bar at The Conrad

Stay tuned for part two!

Did any of your favorites make this list?

4th City: Charlotte, NC - Friendship Missionary Baptist Church {Tour Life}

In October 2013, I went on my first National Tour with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. I sang the Abyssinian Mass written by Mr. Marsalis with Chorale Le Chateau led by Damien Sneed. 

After DC we took a semi long ride back down to North Carolina. I had never been to Charlotte before and everyone mentioned to me how cool of a town it was. We stayed right downtown Charlotte and they were right, it was a really nice area and I wished I could've stayed and explored longer!

We got there not too late at night and we had the night off! A bunch of people went out bowling and as I am the worst bowler and most competitive game player in the world (doesn't matter if it's Volleyball or Tic-Tac-Toe, I aim to destroy you!), I decided to sit that one out and do my hair. And well, I used to know how to do my hair but that night, I'm not sure what happened. So I took a much needed rest that night at the hotel with my funny looking hair, some pizza, and my kindle. The good life!

The next day was when we actually performed at the beautiful Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. This would be the first time we were performing the piece in a church and there was something so special about that. The mass was slowly becoming closer and closer to our hearts and no longer just a piece we rehearsed all year and were taking on the road, it was now part of us.

Mmm, bisque.

I'd the say the most fun I had was after the concert when some of the girls from the alto section started free style singing in the dressing room. We were definitely having church in that room! It was just amazing to hear what those girls could do with their voices and their unrehearsed harmonies. We were all becoming a lot more familiar with each other and it was starting to feel like I was on the road with my closest friends and family. Some of us even went to Karaoke that night. I'm certain someone has this on tape but I'm not going to look around for it for everyone's sake.

Oh also, I had this sumptuous She Crab Bisque for lunch at the restaurant in the hotel. I'm still dreaming about that bisque.

Third City: Washington DC - The Kennedy Center {Tour Life}

In October 2013, I went on my first National Tour with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. I sang the Abyssinian Mass written by Mr. Marsalis with Chorale Le Chateau led by Damien Sneed. 

We drove to DC early in the morning and I slept most of the time. I was so afraid to be riding a tour bus everywhere, but it was so totally fine. I had some amazing meditative music and it always kept me pretty zen. Before I knew it, we were in DC (it was only 3 hours anyway). I was SO excited to be back there as I hadn't really stepped foot in DC in a good 22 years. Yikes! What?

I was also extremely excited to sing at the Kennedy Center and to see my best good friends Parker and David. I was definitely taking pictures of everything like that tourist that I was.

There's me on the right, with the hat on! Behind the piano!
Photo credit: Frank Stewart

Mmm, lobster.

In between soundcheck and the show, we got to go out in the city and have lunch. I had THE MOST DELICIOUS Lobster Ravioli at CIRCA at Foggy Bottom. I mean, so good. After that we went up to the top of the Kennedy Center to look at all of DC from there. I was told the that view at night was stunning, but I didn't get a chance to indulge. Next time, for sure!

I actually bought a wig for the tour. I don't normally wear wigs, I don't know how to put them on or ANYTHING. I had my friend Lauren Michelle help me out with the pincurls and the actual putting on of the wig. I was pretty excited too and I was telling just about everyone that I was walked by that I was wearing a wig. How convenient!

But by the time I got on that stage, I was sweating bullets and I felt like my scalp was slowly being ripped off of my skull. I was also afraid to move too much just in case it shifted or something. And to top it all off, I wore the most Presidential dress I could find, because you know, we're in DC and everything. BUT I only brought knee highs, not full stockings. SO between my wig potentially falling off and the entire audience noticing that there was about 1/8 of my legs showing between the knee highs and the dress, I was very happy to stand in the back out of anyone's line of sight. As luck would have it, I was moved to the front row at the last minute. Yep, of course. Cheers!

Luckily, there were no knee high or wig mishaps and we had another thrilling concert. My phone had no reception so I sent my friends in the audience about a million texts before I got to meet up with them really quickly and take about a thousand selfies before getting on the bus to the hotel which wasn't very close to the venue this time around. My dinner was these AMAZING Angus Sliders and Truffle Mashed Potatoes at the rooftop revolving restaurant in the hotel. I'm drooling thinking about them. BRB walking to DC to get more.

Also, they were topped with fried onions.

Here's a snippet of our performance!

Post by Wynton Marsalis.