The (Not-So) Ordinary Life and Times...

The Met: Orfeo ed Euridice

On Saturday I went to the opera at The Met. Unfortunately, not in New York, but at my local movie theater. It was an amazing experience! Fathom Events produces the live HD transmissions to select movie theaters across the country. I have always wanted to go, and I got to see Gluck's Orfeo eu Euridice this weekend. In a word: fabulous.

Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano (I have a special place in my heart for mezzos) protrayed the famed hero Orpheus in a magnificent trouser performance. Mark Morris' coreography was delightful in this "modern" version of the opera and James Levine directed a fantastic orchestra. Isaac Mizrahi designed costumes that evoked just the right amount of nostalgia and awe, without taking away from the musical performance, of course. With Danielle de Niese singing the role of Euridice, this opera sprang to life with wonderful musical technicality and expression by all musicians.

I can't wait to attend the last four shows in the 2008-09 season:
February 7 - Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti), starring Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon
March 7 - Madama Butterfly (Puccini), starring Cristina Gallardo-Domas and Marcello Giordani
March 21 - La Sonnambula (Bellini), starring Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez
May 9 - La Cenerentola (Rossini), starring Elina Garanca and Lawrence Brownlee

Spring Awakening

I finally got to see Spring Awakening tonight. It was amazing! I forget how much I love the stage when I don't see shows for a while. I remember when all I wanted was to sing on Broadway! My favorite show is probably still Les Miserables. I love the music from Spring Awakening, Wicked and Miss Saigon, too. This show is highly recommended to any musical theatre buff!

Just got Rick Rolled.

Yup. It happened. Rick Rolled. First time of 2009.

I have a problem...but that's the first step to recovery.

I am now 100% positive that I have a shopping addiction. In my defense, however, I'm probably the smartest shopaholic ever. Not to toot my own horn (ok, a little), but I got an AWESOME deal last night at J.Crew. I had a bad day at work (it was Monday, I accidentally deleted something I shouldn't have and my boss got mad...etc.), so I went shopping after work. I had to go to the mall anyway to get my schedule from work. Here's why I'm a smart shopaholic:

J.Crew Matchstick cords: $79.50. I bought two pairs (lemon and bright pink) on sale. J.Crew Dream Valerie Bow cardigan: $98.50. I bought the black one on sale. So originally, my bill would have been $272.95.

With sale prices: $50.42!!! AAAAAANNNDD!! I had a $50 gift card from Christmas, so my bank account only paid 42 CENTS.

HELLO. Thank you, come again.

PS not only am I addicted to shopping, I'm beyond repair when it comes to sales. Don't even try.

I'm on my way!...maybe

So it wasn't a travel essay, but two of my photos were published on Schmap.com's city guide for Paris! Links:

Flam's (AWESOME Alsatian pizza)

Louis Vuitton

Maybe I'll get a travel essay published next!!

Some things I know about myself

I've been getting a lot of these emails/Facebook notes lately, so here are some things about me that I know to be true:

1. I'm really excited to get married in SIX MONTHS!

2. I simply have NO self control when it comes to Milano cookies.

3. I internalize things before I respond. This can take 10 minutes, it can take 10 years.

4. I'm probably the luckiest person on earth.

5. I tend to put other's needs before my own, and I've learned that it's usually a good thing.

6. I don't take criticism - no matter how positive - very well at all.

7. I sometimes wish I wasn't an American.

8. I. Love. Reading. Like a lot.

9. A direct result (I believe) of not being allowed to have video games as a kid, I am now a twenty-something woman with a Nintendo DS. It's pink.

10. I want to own property in another country...preferably Europe.

11. I'm not so good at "rolling with the punches", but I'm getting better.

12. I hate it when people can't make up their minds....or at least give me a timeframe for the decision.

13. I'm a wino.

14. I think I'd like to adopt someday.

16. I'm a food purist. I like apples, not apple pie. I like bananas, not banana smoothies. Etc.

17. I've never seen a Star Wars movie.

18. I despise getting dirty. Can't stand it.

19. I'm pretentious. And to prove it, I don't mind the fact.

20. I own the entire series of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

21. I'd rather be cold than hot.

22. I will only eat two kinds of cereal : Cheerios and Rice Krispies. No sugar on top.

23. I want to be a travel essayist.

24. My perfect day is cuddling on the couch with Marley (my dog), Dan (my fiancee), a cup of coffee and a good book.

25. There's a lot of world out there to see, and I plan to see it.

Christian Louboutin, you may be within my reach

Found these cute heels. They'd be about $100. Do you think they're worth it?

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Wedding Invites!

I spent some time with the lovely Rachel Sweerin last night and we got to talk about wedding invites! Her new business, Serene Design Studio, has some super cute stuff and I had fun talking about my wedding with her. She's so creative, and because I love my wedding colors (navy and fuschia) I think she'll be able to come up with some tres chic designs! Thanks for your help, Rach :)

Holiday Recap

What a great way to end 2008 and welcome 2009. Christmas was a little hectic, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Christmas Eve dinner was a traditional Ukranian Christmas dinner with Ray and Susan in Sioux City. I heart perogies. Then we went to Christmas mass at Blessed Sacrament. Christmas morning was spent at Leigh's. I got some awesome gifts, and while it was weird not to be with my parents on Christmas morning, it was nice to be included in the Sherman tradition.We all went back to Ray and Susan's to do gifts and then back to Leigh's for a big Christmas dinner of turkey and all the fixins'. The next morning (Boxing Day, of those not of Canadian descent), we headed to Red Oak to do it all over again with my parents.

By the time Sunday rolled around, I was ready for a little break. Lucky for me, Mexico provided the much-needed rest. Aaron, Kelsi, Dan and I headed to Puerto Vallarta for a week. We had a fabulous room on the top floor and I spent much of the week in my bathing suit. Welcoming 2009 on the beach with a glass of champagne and fireworks is the way to go, let me tell you. I was not excited to come back to Iowa winter.

So here we are. January of 2009. Lots of big things ahead this year. Wedding is 7 months away!