Time for a Tune-Up

Well, today was my last day in Florence.  After a great practice session, running the town, doing a little shopping and washing laundry at the scariest laundrymat I’ve ever seen, I am ready to hit the road.  Tomorrow I will be in Rome and I will meet Troy on Sunday morning.  The plan is to keep blogging, but probably not quite as often.  So keep looking for new posts and leave me comments if you have the time…I love hearing from you!

My first two weeks have been really great.  I have been overwhelming surprised at the vocal experience I have had.  Rejuvenation was one of the goals of this grant and I have definitely met that goal.  Monica has really motivated me to continue working on my own voice…correction, she hates when I use the word “working”…how about “exploring” my own voice.  I have learned a few new tricks that I can use with my students, but most of all I am really passionate about the music I have selected for this recital and am very excited to perform for all of you…August 16th…write it down!

Of course experiencing the culture, art, and countryside of Italy withmy mother has also been a wonderful experience.  My parents have given me so much throughout my life and spending time together is the best way to show them my appreciation.  My family is always spread throughout the world, but being away somehow heightens the reality of our distance.  Time being of the essence, I have learned to enjoy the time that I have with each of my family members and value the time just as much as the experience itself.  I know my mother also had an enjoyable time and is safely home, swimming in her pool.  She also managed to miss the one disgusting meal I have had so far.  I am not sure what vegetable it was, but dinner consisted of layers of what tasted like soggy bread separated by tomato sauce.  Yuck!  Oh well, tonight’s was amazing!  Angelo…a friend of Vincenzo…actually speaks a little English and was able to fill me in on how to make the tomato sauce on the pasta as well as the glaze on the turkey.  Who knows, maybe I will learn to cook after all.

So as this day comes to a close I will say goodbye for now, but keep you updated as Troy and I travel from Sorrento, Italy to Vienna, Austria a great weekend!