Run With Us

     I've always been a big soccer fan, and now that I live in NYC, I can finally attend MLS games regularly!

     Ever since Thierry Henry joined the New York Red Bulls, I've been a fan of the team, so when Andy bought us tickets to their season opener, I was thrilled. Some girls may want chocolates or jewelry for a Valentine's Day present, but he always knows how to pick the perfect gifts for me.

     Since then we've gone to at least 5 games at the Red Bull Arena as well as an away game viewing party. I think it's safe to say we are hooked. Especially with all the affordable deals we can find on tickets, a night at a soccer match has become our regular date night at this point.

    Whether Andy will admit it or not, soccer has definitely grown on him. I don't think he previously had much interest in it, but he's quickly is becoming an expert. I'm pretty sure he knows some of the rules better than I do. I'm still working on getting him a plaque or something as reward for sitting through all those world cup games with me. It was a lot of soccer to watch in a short amount of time, and he survived! (I'm also converting him into a cat person, but I don't think he'll ever agree to that title. Even if he and Sirius are BFFs...)


     Don't worry, Andy. I promise I will watch as many Vikings games as you want, even if it means trying to cram our way into Bar None with the rest of the Minnesotans who reside in NYC. Besides, we'll need a new regular date night option once the MLS season is over.

    In other news, we will be making a trip back to the Midwest to visit family and go to the cabin in less than a week, and I can't wait!!! I definitely need to get out of the city and away from the job for a little while, and it will be nice to see our families again. A week from today, we'll be at the Minnesota State Fair, chowing down on fried food on a stick. This next week can't go by fast enough!

June busted out all over and straight into July!

     I feel as if I made the mistake of blinking at the beginning of June, and all of the sudden we are halfway through July! This summer has slipped past me when I wasn't looking, and I'm not ready to give it up yet.

     I was promoted a second time at work in June, and while I am truly grateful to be so appreciated and rewarded at my job, it feels as if the new work load has eclipsed all other aspects of life for the past month and a half. I haven't had time to step back and really register how things are going these days.

     It is as if I have just recently taken the blinders off, take a look around, and realized, "Okay, I'm finally feeling less stressed at the day job, but I've neglected my passions..."


     Survival mode has gotten me through a lot of crazy times in my life, but just managing to make it through an 8 hours shift and then desperately trying to keep up with chores and laundry every week is not particularly fulfilling.

     Audition season is inching closer every week, and if I don't regain my focus, it will sneak up on me before I'm ready. The balancing act between working to survive and finding time to sing has definitely become tricky this summer, but I'm determined to do my best to get out of the daily grind mode and remember why I moved out here in the first place!

     I've also been battling with the other dilemma we singers face...waiting! Some performers fear the audition itself, but what I hate more than anything is waiting to go into the audition and even worse is waiting to hear back from the company! I understand that with so many singers auditioning for companies it is almost impossible for each of us to get a response, but it is maddening when you simply don't know. I'd much rather get the rejection email than nothing at all because at least I know where I stand.


   Obviously on a related note, the few auditions I did earlier this year are still up in the air. No responses... I'll be sure to keep you posted of course.

    All this ranting would lead one to believe that my summer has been all work and no play, but luckily I have Andy to make sure I take the time to decompress when I can on the weekends. We've been exploring NYC one parade at a time, and I promise that I will be posting about my favorite soon...

Ever the Balancing Act

     My opportunity to sing in Bronx Opera's La Traviata this month was a very rewarding experience, but this week I'm glad to be done. Working all day and then rehearsing almost every night for the past month has taken its toll on me physically and mentally.

     I'm currently sprawled on our couch and missing work today due to illness, so obviously my body is paying me back for all the lack of sleep and strange eating schedules over the past two weeks. Hopefully I'll make a swift recovery and be back at it tomorrow. I want to be healthy and enjoy my new free time!

     If this recent experience with Bronx Opera has taught me anything, it is that balancing financial survival (aka the day job) with artistic fulfillment (aka the pursuit of the dream job) takes a lot of physical, mental and emotional discipline and stamina. It's easy to see why so many singers struggle to keep it going. I can definitely understand how tempting the steady paycheck of an office job can be, but when I get out on the stage and the music starts, those fears become irrelevant.

     I hope I will get the chance to keep this balancing act going with future operatic engagements, and when I do become involved in another production, I hope that I can use the lessons I learned during this last experience to alleviate my stress level and physical strain. Those sacrifices are worth it in the end, but the more prepared and organized I can be, the more I can enjoy rehearsals rather than dread them.

Upcoming Performance: Bronx Opera's La Traviata

    Hello once again! As I have previously mentioned, I am currently singing in the chorus and covering Annina in Bronx Opera’s upcoming production of La Traviata. I thought I would share more details about the performances with you all since opening weekend is fast approaching.

  

     If you'd like to come see me party it up onstage, you can attend the opera in either the Bronx or Long Island. The show is double cast, so if you want to see Andy singing the role of Germont (and believe me, you definitely do), he will be onstage for the May 10th and 18th performances.You can find more information about the casts, etc. on Bronx Opera’s website: http://bronxopera.org/

Bronx Opera's La Traviata Performance Dates and Locations:

Friday, May 9, 7:30 pm @ Lovinger Theatre, Lehman College, The Bronx

Saturday, May 10, 7:30 pm @ Lovinger Theatre, Lehman College, The Bronx

Saturday, May 17, 8:00 pm @ John Cranford Playhouse, Hofstra, Hempstead, Long Island

Sunday, May 18, 5:00 pm @ John Cranford Playhouse, Hofstra, Hempstead, Long Island

More info on how to order tickets here: http://bronxopera.org/buy_tickets.html

     There are discounted tickets available for the performances at Lehman College ONLY. Please message me if you are interested, and I will share with you how to purchase discounted tickets.

     It’s a great production, and we are singing in English so you won’t have to worry about reading subtitles to understand the plot. La Traviata is a classic, touching story, and it is my favorite Verdi opera. All the lead singers are talented and passionate performers, and whichever cast you end up seeing will be sure to pull you into the tragic tale of love and loss.  

     I'm really enjoying being immersed in opera on a regular basis once again, and I’d love to see any of you at the performances.Feel free to comment or message me if you have any questions about the shows.

     On a somewhat related note, I've had a couple auditions recently, and I will be sure to keep you all posted if/when I hear anything. Fingers crossed!

Cupcake Crawl: Sweet Revenge

     I know! I'm a total slacker when it comes to blogging. In my defense, I've been pretty well booked with opera rehearsals and work this month (not to mention trying to take care of an ailing Andy this past week). I like to think that those are all valid excuses... To assuage, my guilt, however, I have determined to finally update the blog!

     Now I know that this is technically a Cupcake Crawl post, but my latest cupcake venue discovery has made a complete addict of me. Working down near the West Village has its perks and dangers, and I consider Sweet Revenge to fall in both categories.

     The danger lies mainly in the fact that the bar is a mere block away from work, making it far too tempting to drop in during my lunch for a coffee and meal or during happy hour for a cupcake.

     The perks, of course, are all the readily available and delicious bake goods that I can procure on my way to the subway whenever I so choose. How can a girl with a sweet tooth complain about that?

     Sweet Revenge has found the perfect combination of two of my great culinary loves: booze and cupcakes. They even have a happy hour that caters to this with a beer/wine and cupcake combo deal in the evenings! I mean, I'm all for sipping on a latte or cocoa with my dessert, but a post-work potable makes for a way more satisfying compliment to a sweet treat.

     The menu is even specially tailored for pairing drinks with cupcakes. On the front, there is a detailed list of the four standard cupcakes as well as all the specialty flavors. On the back, however, there is a thorough chart which lists a wine and beer pairing for every individual cupcake. Examples of such pairings can be found here.   So far the menu hasn't led me astray when it comes to choosing the right drink to balance my baked good of choice.

     Aside from the awesomeness of booze and dessert combos, Sweet Revenge would have won me over for the cupcakes alone. They have a moist consistency that I love, and I enjoy that there are signature flavors I can fall back on as well as a multitude of new specialty flavors to discover.

     So far I have tried the Pure, the Dirty,the Cafe Mocha, the Dulce de leche, and the Black & Tan, as well as tasted Andy's favorite and the bar's signature cupcake the Sweet Revenge (aka peanut butter). All were delicious, and I can't wait to try more flavors in the future.

Cafe mocha cupcake with a chocolate stout. Decadence!

    Aside from getting my sugar fix at Sweet Revenge, I've also found a nice little lunch spot where I can cozy up with a latte and a light meal for an hour. I love sitting in the sunny window seat and getting out of the office for a little while.

     One of the first things that intrigued me about the bar was their chalkboard sign out front that enticed me with a never before seen brunch item: RED VELVET BELGIAN WAFFLES. Um...I love red velvet cake...and I love waffles...so YES PLEASE.

     I finally treated myself to this decadent red delight for my birthday lunch (or in reality, Andy made a surprise appearance during my lunch hour and treated me to some birthday waffles), and it was everything I hoped it would be. I'm making myself hungry just looking at this photo again!

    Well, I think perhaps I have gushed about Sweet Revenge enough for one entry, but they got me. I'm a total addict. I foresee many waffles, wine, cupcakes, and beer in my future. Feel free to join me sometime!

    More posts to come in the near future I swear! Our performances with Bronx Opera are swiftly approaching, and I promise I will share more details about La Traviata as we get closer to those dates.

Add Another -ina to the Resume

     I just wanted to give you all a quick update on the opera career front. Still waiting to hear back from some auditions, but I am pleased to announce that I will be covering the role of Annina and singing in the chorus of the Bronx Opera's production of La Traviata.

     Andy will also being singing Germont in the production. (It seems like Traviata has become our show as a couple.) So if you come see the show, you'll get to see both of us!

     The performances are in May, and I'll be sure to post more details as the date approaches. For now, I'm just excited to start rehearsals soon.

More information on the performances and Bronx Opera are available at their website.

My Honey Valentine

     Now that I am no longer working as a bartender, I rarely mix drinks anymore. I miss creating cocktails sometimes, and so as Valentine's Day approached, I thought it would be the perfect occasion to put my bartending skills to use.

     The main inspiration for this cocktail creation was Andy's new found favorite liquor, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey. I introduced him to it not long ago, and it has swiftly become his go to booze of choice. Naturally, I thought the sweet liqueur would be the perfect base for a Valentine's Day drink, so I started brainstorming.

     The cocktail was success, and I think it would be a tasty beverage for any season. I've shared the recipe below in case any of you would like to try it for yourself.

 

My Honey Valentine: 

1. Pour 2 oz Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey (or any honey whiskey liqueur that you prefer, Jim Beam and Wild Turkey both make their own version).
2.  Add Tazo Passion Iced Tea. (It is a floral and fruity tea but not too sweet. It balances the honey nicely.)
3. Add ginger ale. (Adds a little fizz, and the ginger compliments the honey flavor well.)
4. Pour into sugar rimmed glass and garnish with lemon and strawberry. (Lime would also be a nice addition, and for a valentine flair, cut the strawberry into a heart shape.)

     It is a delicious drink inspired by a special guy. I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day as well, and if I get a chance, I will try to share more cocktail creations with you in the future.