tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:50:10 +0000http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Teresa)Blogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-3325245834746820088Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:22:00 +00002009-08-24T19:28:20.961-07:00Life is moving along for me in a lot of fun ways, and my current blog isn't reflecting that. I have decided to expand my little corner of the interwebs and make my own website that is more appropriate for my readers. I purchased a domain name yesterday and am working on making a few webpages pretty for you. I will let you all know when I'm ready to convert over to my new website. Thanks for http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/08/moving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-1625527036956664429Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:05:00 +00002009-07-10T15:24:48.597-07:00A short while back I ate dinner with my boyfriend at a Chinese restaurant. When we received our fortune cookies at the end of the meal, mine said that the current month (June) would be my most profitable month this year. I don't normally take these little bits of paper very seriously, especially since so many fortune cookie fortunes say things like "you like Chinese food" instead of actually http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/07/fortune-cookie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-2409318714570325637Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:01:00 +00002009-06-25T15:02:44.636-07:00I think about blogging a lot, but it appears I haven’t managed to sit down to actually write a post in some time. Let’s remedy that, shall we?My most exciting news is that I bought a used car nearly two weeks ago. It’s a zippy little Mercedes that looks way more expensive than it ended up costing. My Dad found the listing online and I purchased it in Portland from a very nice woman, making it http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/06/update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-1290107920525396322Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:21:00 +00002009-06-08T10:38:33.377-07:00The older I get, the more I realize that I am a dabbler. I like to learn how to do many different activities (mostly falling under the "home arts" category) and tend to pick up creative hobbies left and right. In addition to designing knitwear patterns, decorating my apartment, and turning trash into treasure, I have found three new activities that have made my life more enjoyable.1. Personal http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/06/dabble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-5146644136917385457Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:47:00 +00002009-06-05T12:59:25.239-07:00Did you see the movie "Reality Bites" when it came out in the early nineties? I did. I was 13 or 14, not yet in high school, and was blissfully swept away in the fictional story of four twenty-somethings just graduating from college. The main character, played by Winona Ryder, seemed particularly comical to my pubescent self, especially her desire to be individual, independent, and not cave tohttp://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/06/reality-bites.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-989215116835513019Wed, 20 May 2009 05:26:00 +00002009-05-19T22:42:29.421-07:00KnittingAlthough I love knitting things for babies and children, it can be impractical at times because I don't normally have a baby or child sitting around to use as a model for sizing. I knit a Viking Hat for the cutest baby in the world's first birthday a few months ago and loved how it turned out. So, after being asked to knit a pair of caps for twin two-year-olds, I thought I would just adjust thehttp://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/05/knitting-highs-and-lows.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-5797136382902344852Fri, 15 May 2009 18:13:00 +00002009-05-15T11:23:56.908-07:00Home sweet home...improvementRemember back in early spring (when it was still snowing every weekend) and I started my balcony makeover? I planted some flowers in a color bowl for my bistro table, and hoped that the freezing temperatures wouldn't kill them.Now that spring has officially arrived (this time with monsoon rains instead of snow), my balcony makeover is moving ahead...slowly. The flowers don't need any real help http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/05/before-and-during.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-7461953891890620295Thu, 14 May 2009 04:57:00 +00002009-05-13T22:13:57.551-07:00I have a couple private voice students and a part-time office job. Combining that with the occasional singing gig, I pretty much break even every month financially. Although it isn't the most responsible long-term financial plan in the world, for now I am having a great time. And today is one of the best examples of why I appreciate my "underemployed" lifestyle. Here's a breakdown of what I did http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/05/achieve.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-743905067420234801Fri, 08 May 2009 23:39:00 +00002009-05-08T16:45:34.626-07:00A lovely German tradition that my Mom discovered when she visited me in Germany was the afternoon "Kaffee und Kuchen." Around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, Germans will wander into a cafe and enjoy a piece of cake and a cup of coffee. It's something that most people can get on board with (Mom, Dad and I took time for it pretty much every day we were together in Germany), and today I thought I'd http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/05/kaffee-und-kuchen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-1007815363688047078Fri, 08 May 2009 00:25:00 +00002009-05-07T17:32:50.803-07:00KnittingNot too long ago, the speedy progress on a sweater project symbolized an accomplishment, but also a bit of isolation and lonliness. After rehearsals or performances at the theater in Germany, I was pretty much left alone. That meant many (MANY) hours of knitting time on my couch in my cozy little apartment, usually with a cup of tea, a few cookies, and NPR playing on my computer in the http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/05/and-i-have-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-7359096311204266760Sat, 02 May 2009 16:39:00 +00002009-05-02T09:55:48.645-07:00KnittingAfter finishing the Lellow Blankie for my friend Beth, I was eager to start a project that was more challenging. Although I loved being able to knit anytime and anywhere with such an easy project as the blankie, by the end I was REALLY bored with the pattern and couldn't stand looking at yellow yarn.So, after determining what yarn in my under-the-bed stash I wanted to work with next, I started http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-project.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-5079813588541331856Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:15:00 +00002009-04-26T21:18:13.748-07:00The cutest baby in the world is quickly becoming the cutest toddler in the world. She has an amazing vocabulary, can run like a big kid, and is practicing climbing stairs! She also gets more beautiful every time I see her. But you can see for yourself that a picture is worth a thousand words, isn't it?http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/04/tcbitw.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-781428622438773426Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:09:00 +00002009-04-22T14:15:18.402-07:00KnittingI am going to a baby shower on Saturday afternoon. My friend is having a baby girl at the beginning of June, and the timing is perfect for my most recent knitting project.Here is a close-up shot of my lellow blankie clone.Using my childhood blanket as a template, I figured out the pattern and knit myself a replica. I love how the simple stitch pattern still has so much depth and texture. Don'thttp://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-lellow-blankie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-1378028025151770645Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:11:00 +00002009-04-19T11:23:23.855-07:00Well, thanks to those of you who took the time to help educate me on the pros and cons of the various MP3 players currently available. I think I learned a lot about new-fangled electronics and technology. And, in the end, I purchased neither the Zune nor the iPod Touch. Instead I got this:http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/04/and-winner-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-2560166185712054970Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:13:00 +00002009-04-15T16:38:32.671-07:00I am a reluctant electronics user. I have been using the same MP3 player since 2003, and the purchase of that device was only made after receiving a direct recommendation from a trusted friend who, after showing me his player and where I could buy it online, also showed me how to install and use it. Suffice it to say there was a lot of hand-holding involved.After going through a period of not http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/04/help-me-choose.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-4942696761927411787Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:54:00 +00002009-04-10T09:10:41.906-07:00Well, I'm sticking to my word about posting details here for upcoming performances, however late in the game the details come! Tonight (this evening, in a few short hours, even) I am performing as the alto soloist in Pergolesi's Stabat Mater at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Everett, WA. On the off chance that any of you dear readers a) live within spitting distance of the church or b) havehttp://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/04/good-friday-service.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-3375060027150594391Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:32:00 +00002009-04-08T16:44:21.279-07:00Fun Activities in SeattleMy friend Tracy came to visit from Ohio about a week ago. Last Wednesday I took her and some of her friends on a tour of Seattle. This is the "view" we saw from Kerry park on top of Queen Anne hill:Yeah, not much of a view, huh? There are supposedly "mountains" behind those "skyscrapers" and even "water." I put all of this in quotes because as far as my friend Tracy is concerned, these thingshttp://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/04/within-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-8179554272235750238Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:39:00 +00002009-03-27T11:52:45.853-07:00Have you ever heard of the life phase referred to as the Saturn Return? A friend of mine told me about it a few weeks ago and this morning I finally had some time to look it up online and read more about it. Here's what Wikipedia says about it and here is another good article.According to what I read, between 27 and 30 years of age people experience the first of three Saturn Returns in their http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/03/saturn-return.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-8336615601929573616Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:41:00 +00002009-03-23T17:58:16.080-07:00Now that I'm back to "freelancing" as an opera singer, I have to keep a calendar with me at all times that looks at least one year into the future. Right now I am juggling a fair amount of repertoire for a fair amount of auditions/gigs, and if I am successful and receive a role after these auditions, I won't actually perform many of the roles until sometime in 2010.Here's a small glimpse into http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-does-february-2010-look-to-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-5648306104234676443Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:10:00 +00002009-03-19T19:42:28.735-07:00KnittingHome sweet home...improvementSpring is nearly here. After almost a week of bitterly cold days on my balcony, my pansies are enjoying a mild evening and look very perky.I am nearly someone's employee. The construction company where I have been temping for the last five weeks is getting me set up with computer credentials, including an employee e-mail address, with no end to my assignment in sight. And with my flexible http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/03/nearly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-2719499794389122683Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:00:00 +00002009-03-11T15:23:55.528-07:00Has anyone openly criticized your line of work? Have you ever been put down because of your passion? Has someone made a cruel joke to your face about your career choice? All of these things have happened to me at some point, with the most recent occurrence being last night. I was at a casual German meet-up group and, in the course of a conversation, a man said something very hateful to me http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-i-am-made-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-7162124960551148519Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:16:00 +00002009-03-09T10:38:11.981-07:00Home sweet home...improvementDaylight Saving Time is upon us and I love the prospect of longer days. It also gives me hope that I can eventually put away my winter sweaters and scarves and welcome warmer spring weather. However, after seeing snow the last three days in a row, I'm not holding my breath for a speedy change in the seasons.However, that does give me some time to remodel yet one more living space! I can't http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/03/another-living-space.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-990101634274941427Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:28:00 +00002009-03-08T10:44:23.791-07:00Fun Activities in SeattleThis weekend has been filled with fun outings and exciting musical events. On Friday night I went to see the Lion King at the Paramount Theater, which was an absolutely amazing show in a regal and sumptuous venue. After several months away from being a stage performer in Germany, it was refreshing and fun to sit in the audience and enjoy the hard work of all the singers and dancers onstage. I http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/03/music.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-1898081042359568833Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:01:00 +00002009-03-03T20:23:01.403-08:00KnittingThose adorable yellow braids from the Viking Hat on the cutest baby in the world reminded me of something. My yellow (pronounced "lellow") blankie from childhood. I blogged about it last fall in a sorry attempt to get someone to figure out the pattern for me, because I've been hankering to knit a new one. Well, after not getting any responses, I randomly came across a pattern that looked exactly http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/03/lellow-blankie-reborn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-975346110264633337Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:07:00 +00002009-02-27T14:04:24.252-08:00I'm helping my parents organize their attic, which is chock-full of memorabilia from my childhood, including about 45,000 pictures of me going through various stages of orthodontics, bad hair and general gangliness (I once grew 6 inches in 11 months). I now feel sorry for all children who are growing up in the digital age, whose parents can quickly upload said awkward pictures to their facebook http://coburgchoir.blogspot.com/2009/02/shudder.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Teresa)0