Hallo All-
What an adventure!
I am sitting in my almost empty room, almost done packing (/gasp) and procrastinating. Perhaps it is my subconscious trying to wrap my head around the fact that I will be leaving this Wach Hof in about 8 hours. My shuttle is coming to pick me up at the ungodly hour of 545 am to drive me to the Munich Airport. If all goes well, I will leave Munich around 1000 am and fly to Frankfurt, and then from Frankfurt to Philly, and then Philly to Detroit. And then, drive to St. Christopher's and have fun with Set Designing for VBS Summer 2011!
After an AMAZING, WONDERFUL, concert last night (we had an encore!!! I was told it was the first time ever that an encore was called), and the crazy and unforgettable After Party, it was a bit hard to wake up this morning. Die sonne ist (I dont know past tense) schöne und WARM like no other...it was blazing hot AND really really bright. Oh...it was really harsh, my poor eyes. lol
Anyway, we went to the theatre and basically cleared everything; I had to go up the ladder to take down a lot of stuff. Yeah, heights and me arent the best of friends. I (along with Tabea, Lucy, and Kevin) helped the Jelemensky piano company pack up the Sauter piano we used this week. That was fun! And then we went to the Haupteschule and cleaned that place out too. Then...we all went to the Achensee lake (finally) and enjoyed a beautiful time on the beachy area. The water was so cold, but oh so wonderful to our aching muscles. I tried desperately to take pictures of it; those who have seen the lake will understand when I say the blue color of the water is indescribable. Then we went on the boat (I took a picture of the boat and the captains, but couldnt read the name of it) that stops at all three towns along the lake. Man...riding the boat gave us the chance to see Achensee from so many different points of view. Looking back at Maurach from the far side just made it more enchanting and amazing. We also passed the Pirates Attack Achensee setup and all these wave gliders/parasailers/or whatever theyre called. We got off at Pertisau to meet Elizabeth at Cafe Restaurant Erika. Um...yum. The long walk (after we took a wrong turn) was so worth it. Plus, it was a wonderful way to kind of bring things to a close for the program.
I am truly sad to leave this wonderful place. I met so many wonderful people and I sincerely hope we do all keep in touch. This definitely was an experience of a lifetime, especially how it all happened and fell into my lap. Maurach am Achensee is just a beautiful place, a jewel of the world really. And if you can just imagine making music with amazing people in this beautiful place...oh man, you would get a tiny idea of what I had the privilege to experience. We spent almost 4 weeks together...and pretty much 24/7. Happy sigh...
Am I ready to go back to my life in Michigan? Yes. I definitely have lots of things on my plate once I get back. But as they say, all good things must come to an end.
All I can say is I will take what I learned here and share it to whoever I can. TOP really is an amazing program. I would strongly encourage people to look into it!
Okies, enough time spent procrastinating. Much love from Maurach am Achensee, Tirol, Austria! (for the last time)
-rog
p.s. Pfiati, Maurach. Ich liebe dich!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Freitag: the end of an experience
Hallo All-
Sorry for not posting for the last few days. Everything is coming to a head for the Gala Konzert tonight! For those who are curious, this is the program:
ACT I
“Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein” from Die Fledermaus (Orlofsky's aria)
“Belle Nuit” (Barcarolle) from Les contes d’Hoffmann
“Black Swan” from The Medium (Monica und Baba)
“O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi
“O du mein holder Abendstern” from Tannhäuser
Scenes from La Bohème
“Che gelida manina”
“Si, mi chiamano Mimi”
“Quando m’en vo”
“Donde lieta…Dunque propio finite”
PAUSE
ACT II
Scenes from L’elisir d’amore
“Caro elisir” (Nemorino und Adina duet)
“Una furtiva lagrima”
Scenes from Carmen
“Seguidilla”
“Nous avons en tête une affaire”
Gern hab’ ich die Frau’n geküsst” from Panganini
Embraceable You (Gershwin) … into … SALSA dancing … into … Irish dancing … Reprise
“Questo giorno die tormenti” from Le nozze di Figaro
Cool program eh? It is going to be a lot of fun for sure! This being the last day (and it is almost over!!) where I will get to spend time with these awesome people, there is a sense of sadness amidst all the excitement and happiness. We know what Roger is doing tonight: NOT SLEEPING so he can spend as much time with his new friends before they all leave. :(
I wasn’t going to, but I might end up taking a nap before the concert and just pack tomorrow morning! lol Oh the memories and stories…
Glad I have VBS to distract my mind when I get home. As in literally… I fly in Sunday evening around 740 PM into Detroit Metro; then drive to Grand Blanc; shift everything into my car; drive to St. Christopher’s; finish detail work on the opening set; go through VBS programming Day 1; return to Lansing; dust my room; go out for sushi (Nabs: you, me, and Maru!); celebratory drink of sorts; pack up/drive back to GB for Tuesday VBS or go to sleep (the last two are interchangeable)
And that will be my return schedule.
FUN!!! lol
Okies…I have to start getting ready for the konzert. ^^ Hope everyone is having fun! /hug
-rog
Monday, August 1, 2011
Montag: the start of the end
hallo All-
Heute seemed like a LONG day. I think we are all just gearing up for the last concert coming up this Freitag. And with all the spacing rehearsals and private coaching sessions, both Jessica and I definitely have our hands full. Plus, we want to make sure we are prepared ourselves so there is LOTS of practicing to be done. And speaking of practicing, I dont think I have ever played piano this many hours for this many days. lol...I mean I am at the piano at MSU a lot, but I dont always sit on the piano; I am always up and etc (you guys know how I work). I am certainly not sitting at the piano from 1030 - 2200, minus three hours for food and a half hour break. My arms have been a little sore, especially last week, but they are better now. Perhaps I have finally broken up all the fascial (Corbug, is that the right term?) surrounding my muscles so they are no longer restricted. hahaha...I have no idea. Or perhaps its just Sabine's stretches that have kept it in check.
Anyway...the pre-lim program is up and oh man, it is going to be an awesome concert! ^^ Whoever comes to this concert will be very lucky; there is the perfect mix of beautiful standards with hilarious medleys here and there. I almost wish I could just be an audience member. But then I think about it and...nah. My joy comes from playing the works and making music with the singers. hahaha...again, SOMEBODY better be recording this concert! Or else they will have to deal with the angry asian...and yalls know that is a scary thing.
The weather again was so beautiful today. And it is supposed to get better and better as the days go by. Even though the sched will be somewhat crazy, I hope I can steal away to the lake just to recuperate/re-energize and just enjoy the beauty that is Maurach. Also, now that the weather is becoming super clear and blue skies all around (/knockonwood) the nights are so clear: not a cloud in sight. And when you can block out some of the street lamps you are granted at a glance of the stars... Wow, there is just something so special about looking up and seeing the infinite space. Oh man, if only I could capture the view at night. Up in the mountains it almost seems like the constellations are bigger/closer, which I know they arent in reality, but it just SEEMS that way. lol
I also got a chance to put on my coach hat today. ^^ I think it still throws people off guard how fast I can switch into professional mode versus personal. Plus, I am demanding and intense (as someone put it) hahaha...all of my wonderful singers at home in Michigan know and are used to that. I havent had the chance to expose my new friends here to that side as much as all my Asian jokes/comments, which I am so happy that they just took it in stride. I seriously thought I was going to offend someone with all my Asian references. But meh, theyre picking up fobbing rather well...ish. hahahaha...or as Jay calls it: fobo-ing.
Oh the memories I will have from this trip.
/happy sigh
And on that note, Ima go to sleep! ^^
-rog
p.s. and there is a bug, a long dark oval shaped bug crawling on the ceiling...a;oiwfhaiosudfhpoiauhfdeoiajsdhfoi9ayhdoifjaosdfujaosidfjaodjf)(&^%$^&*(
yuck
Heute seemed like a LONG day. I think we are all just gearing up for the last concert coming up this Freitag. And with all the spacing rehearsals and private coaching sessions, both Jessica and I definitely have our hands full. Plus, we want to make sure we are prepared ourselves so there is LOTS of practicing to be done. And speaking of practicing, I dont think I have ever played piano this many hours for this many days. lol...I mean I am at the piano at MSU a lot, but I dont always sit on the piano; I am always up and etc (you guys know how I work). I am certainly not sitting at the piano from 1030 - 2200, minus three hours for food and a half hour break. My arms have been a little sore, especially last week, but they are better now. Perhaps I have finally broken up all the fascial (Corbug, is that the right term?) surrounding my muscles so they are no longer restricted. hahaha...I have no idea. Or perhaps its just Sabine's stretches that have kept it in check.
Anyway...the pre-lim program is up and oh man, it is going to be an awesome concert! ^^ Whoever comes to this concert will be very lucky; there is the perfect mix of beautiful standards with hilarious medleys here and there. I almost wish I could just be an audience member. But then I think about it and...nah. My joy comes from playing the works and making music with the singers. hahaha...again, SOMEBODY better be recording this concert! Or else they will have to deal with the angry asian...and yalls know that is a scary thing.
The weather again was so beautiful today. And it is supposed to get better and better as the days go by. Even though the sched will be somewhat crazy, I hope I can steal away to the lake just to recuperate/re-energize and just enjoy the beauty that is Maurach. Also, now that the weather is becoming super clear and blue skies all around (/knockonwood) the nights are so clear: not a cloud in sight. And when you can block out some of the street lamps you are granted at a glance of the stars... Wow, there is just something so special about looking up and seeing the infinite space. Oh man, if only I could capture the view at night. Up in the mountains it almost seems like the constellations are bigger/closer, which I know they arent in reality, but it just SEEMS that way. lol
I also got a chance to put on my coach hat today. ^^ I think it still throws people off guard how fast I can switch into professional mode versus personal. Plus, I am demanding and intense (as someone put it) hahaha...all of my wonderful singers at home in Michigan know and are used to that. I havent had the chance to expose my new friends here to that side as much as all my Asian jokes/comments, which I am so happy that they just took it in stride. I seriously thought I was going to offend someone with all my Asian references. But meh, theyre picking up fobbing rather well...ish. hahahaha...or as Jay calls it: fobo-ing.
Oh the memories I will have from this trip.
/happy sigh
And on that note, Ima go to sleep! ^^
-rog
p.s. and there is a bug, a long dark oval shaped bug crawling on the ceiling...a;oiwfhaiosudfhpoiauhfdeoiajsdhfoi9ayhdoifjaosdfujaosidfjaodjf)(&^%$^&*(
yuck
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