Ok today's the final day so you can see what I did today and a final recap of everything I accomplished in this 30 days. No I did not complete all tasks assigned and it's ok. I added in some new things that I needed to start incorporating into my routine so that took a bit of adjusting, but I'd say this has been a success! The only area that I have regret about is the piano practice sessions, everything else I did my best!
VOCAL PRACTICE SESSION #23/30
30 minute warm up plus review of Vissi, Alone, Rolling in the Deep, Sei tu m'ami. I definitely need to spend more time practicing and I think I will try to get into the B1 practice space more. Sometimes you just need to be in the right area to get focused as the girls' bathroom lacks inspiration sometimes.
PIANO SKILLS PRACTICE 14/30
practiced about half of what I should have...clearly I need to spend more time on this!
THEORY STUDY SESSION
I thought I would be able quantify this with time, but I should have just given myself a goal of sections to do. I got through almost one chapter - and it took me quite a bit of time just to do that.
VOICE LESSONS WITH A PROFESSIONAL VOCAL
COACH 4/4
Yay completed!
LIVE VOCAL PERFORMANCES 1/2
Half way done but we are planning a karaoke night at some point so it eventually will get done. I think I need to do karaoke more often...will be good exercise
LIVE PERFORMANCE VIEWING 1/1
Yay completed!
VIEWING OF PROFESSIONAL OPERAS #4/4
Yay completed! Today I watched Don Pasquale by Donizetti. First of all this is conducted by James Levine who, at the time of the recording, was 66!!! He entered the pit with a cane, but that didn't stop the passion and joy that you can see in his face! It seems like he's not really doing that much directing...really just keeping the beat. That is probably a testament to the caliber of direction that is given during rehearsals with his 40 years experience with the Met. I am sure he knows exactly what he wants and the musicians give it! I still really don't understand how Anna does all the vocal gymnastics in the weird positions she puts herself in on the stage. She is not only just simply beautiful to watch but so interesting with her acting choices as well. The opera is lots of silliness and the duet between Ernesto (Matthew Polenzani - what a voice) and Don Pasquale (John Del Carlo) is insanely fast and they even do an encore!!! Dr. Malatesta is also slithery and conniving as they come and is played perfectly by a suave Mariusz Kwiecien. Although I love my tragedies, I also love my comedies and I am glad I ended on a fun note! Of course I will still watch Lucia di Lammermore - one of its arie is the reason why I wanted to sing opera - the one from The Fifth Element. I loved the modernization of the classic and I wanted and still want to do stuff like that! I've learned a lot about PROFESSIONAL performing from this. Everyone is there to support each other and there is a great rapport between all levels of the production. I know not all gigs will be like that - but it's out there, I just need to be ready for it.
LIVE INDUSTRY AUDITION 1/1
Yay completed!!
ROLE 1/1
Yay completed!!!
DEMO RECORDING / YOUTUBE COVER
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEALS #30/30
Started off my day with muslei with chocolate rice milk, some strawberries, and coffee
BODY CONDITIONING / FITNESS SESSION 15/25
I know I missed out on part of this because I was sick, but not 10 days worth. I still feel as though I made good use of my time at the gym and I have decided to only go to the gym 3x per week and anything extra will be icing on the cake. I need to focus my energy on music and three times is still good if I can get quality workouts in. As I am not training for a contest or anything, I think it will fit my needs!
CHARITABLE DEEDS OR ACTS OF KINDNESS #3/5
I did my last act of kindness that I was able to document...I gave a thank you and a gift of chocolates to a co-worker who I have worked with my entire time in Singapore and she has always been positive and "gets it". Hasn't become cynical or jaded by the system yet and I appreciate that. This exercise has definitely made me more aware of those around me and that I need to show kindness to everyone. I can be quite self absorbed and worry about things and putting attention on wanting to serve gets me out of that habit. I have become more eager to hold doors, give up seats, help out the handicapped down a ramp the list goes on. I actually say to myself when I go out, if there is someone who needs a little extra help today, send them my way - I am able to give that. Sometimes it's me not shoulder checking someone heading straight for me...they may not know it but I just helped them LOL
...DAILY INSPIRATION...
final words of encouragement...I have seen too much hate, violence, betrayal, pain to want to be in a place where that exists. People may think I am naive or unrealistic, but I believe everyone is capable of love - I don't think anyone is completely lost. We all should forgive each other for the wrongs that we commit against one another - some are small and some are great, but any crime against your brother or sister is a crime against yourself. Learn to love yourself and always try to do your best!
