NYC - Carnegie Hall

How does one get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. As musicians we've all heard it, but never, ever did I think I'd get there. What an experience! 

When I was in Nashville last year at the Fine Arts Summer Academy with the Annie Moses Band, they mentioned that there would openings available to come and play at Carnegie with them in January 2012. Of course, my first thought was "Uh, I need to do that." I came home from the Academy, and life got crazy at work and I ended up quitting my job and looking for a new one, etc. So, my audition tape was sent in about one month later than the deadline. I didn't hear anything for a month, and then got this email:

"I am sorry for the delay in getting back with you. We would love to have you at Carnegie if you are able to come. I have been able to finalize a slot for you, so I hope you can work out the final details. Blessings! Annie Dupre"

Uh, I was a little shocked and definitely worked out the details. 

I really have no words for the experience. I can't describe it! If felt so normal to carry Jolie with me through NYC and be playing there. It felt right. And it also felt natural to play at Carnegie; there were no nerves or butterflies, but the whole entire experience was very surreal. It was amazing. What made it more special was playing with a group that whole-heartedly was playing for Christ -- extremely well. I felt so blessed to be playing some of my favourite songs, with my favourite group, in the most famous hall in the world. Gah, I can't really get over it!

Here are some photos from the blessed event. And I couldn't pick any favourites, so you'll just have to put up with a lot!

The lovely Annie Dupre (nee: Wolaver, of the Annie Moses Band...not confusing at all...)

Annie and Gretchen

 Hard at working during dress rehearsal. 

The hall was of course, amazing.

More rehearsal

It was also a pleasure to be conducted by the famous Camp Kirkland again, the father of church orchestrations!

The front liners: Benjamin, Alex, Annie, Gretchen, Camille

Camp and our producer, Roy Hayes

Alex, Berklee, and Miss Robin

Time for the real thing!

I can't even describe how amazing this was!

Annie giving this gentleman his first violin lesson and solo at Carnegie!

This is the whole crew!

And time for a little party at the end!

I truly thank the Lord for allowing and providing this opportunity. Make His Praise Glorious!

Staying on Track - February

This month last has been busy. What month isn't? Well, I find usually January isn't...but this year was different. Basically, my January was 1) New Years, 2) Trip to NYC, 3) Get sick, 4) Get sick again, and 5) Ringette tournament. In that, working full time and planning various choir/orchestra events.

Therefore, my resolutions were definitely a challenge this month. I think trying new things is always hard and why we make them a "resolution". Especially while being on vacation, real life pretty much just gets thrown out the window and I instead embrace the moment (especially being in New York)! And then being sick, real life also gets thrown out the window, because you're either struggling to make it through the work day and get home in one piece, or you're in bed. Therefore, the challenge of keeping my resolutions.

Along with this non-normal life struggle, I've discovered the I'm very much an excuse maker (please see paragraphs 1&2)...even about the smallest things! I'm make mountains out of mole hills. So, with all these new moments I'm trying to implement, I'm constantly on the look out for a "reason" to not follow through. Which is ridiculous, but true! One of my new challenges to myself is to "Just Do It" (yes, like Nike). Just to sit down or stand up or just do what I need to do and not think too hard about it!

January:
1) Go to bed before 12:00pm. - I actually did okay at this. Definitely room for improvement, but I'm happy to continue this.
2) Drink more water. - As I sit here with my glass of water! I'm pretty up and down on this, but am making progress. It's hard when I don't really feel any better or healthier, but I know it is good for me!
3) Give birthday cards to my friends. - Check on the one b-day in January. And February's are already made.
4) Keep a prayer journal. - This definitely lacked. Part of my excuse routine was "I'm sick and don't feel like it", but I still managed to polish off too many Gilmore Girls episodes than is heathy for me! Definitely need to work on this more!
5) Learn something new - Love this one, and have a few projects on the go!
6) Run a 5K in May. - Ha...yeah...


New for February:
There is still tons of room for improvement for January, but I'll add a few for February, because it's good for me!
7) Bible Study - The last few months of my life have seriously lacked this. I have a study book I'm working through, so I want to hit 2 lessons a week. This is a hard one for me to admit that "up-ing" it to 2 studies a week is an improvement...but it's true. I was encouraged by a lady at choir that without this, all my other challenges really don't amount to much...
8) Just Do It - Not only do I want this resolution exercise to be a practice at implementing heathy actions in my life, I think it need to start with attitude shifts as well. Therefore, out with the excuses. I just need to do the things I need to do...This translates to work, admin rolls, music practice, etc. Stop thinking (not actually, but you know...) and just buckle down (ha, that is such a mom statement!) and do it!

Life will be busy this next month with working hard on old resolutions and starting new.

Christmas Time

I love Christmas. And it definitely feels like a very long time ago! But here are some pictures from my Christmas.

It's tradition to have Sawatzky's over after the Christmas Eve Service. We have too much Chinese food and then the "kids" watch a classic Christmas movie.

A cute little couple that I love.

Who agrees that stockings are amazing? If you look at the red and white striped one, you can see that Reid, Lisa and I got a little carried away with Mom's stocking - the bag below it is totally full of "stocking' presents. I laughed so hard, because there was probably enough three stockings.

Cady on Christmas morning. Through-out the month of December I bought the girls "Belle" presents, because we were doing "exciting things with Belle" at Christmastime. So here she is in her Belle nightie.

Helping Nanny with all those gifts (in those PJs).

Monica did a lot of wandering around at this time. 

Playing with Lego and Play Mobile on the ping-pong table, out of the reach from little fingers.

Skating was a must at Christmastime and we did it almost everyday. It was fun to teach Alanna, Meg and Cady.

Little munchkin.

Time for our "exciting time with Belle" - Broadway Across Canada "Beauty and the Beast"

All dressed for the occasion.

Let's add the little one!

The girls had never seen a play before, much less Broadway at the Jubilee, so it was a little overwhelming and took a little explaining to let them know people were just pretending. 

My favourite was after all the gifts of soundtrack, decorations, movie, etc, as soon as the music started at the theatre, Cady turned to me and says "Hey, we have this movie!" And all I could think was "Yes sweetheart, that was the point." :)

It was so much fun!

And now time for some of those friends of mine! On the 28th, four of us headed out for some x-country skiing! It was my first time. And except for a very jarred shoulder/arm and a sore backside, I think I did okay!

There we all are!

Poor Jocelyn has turned into our resident photographer and she never turns up in the photos anymore! Here she is!

Snack time!

And now for the real party! It is always so special to have the seven of us together, even if it is for just a few hours.

Photo credits to Jocelyn Dawn Photography.

Having a little too much fun. 

Can you hear the laughter?

And we didn't even plan to coordinate!

I love Christmas, food, family and friends! Let's do it again next year!