The National Shrine

I was early for rehearsal yesterday at Catholic University of America and decided to take some photos of the National Shrine. It is pretty amazing: inside and out.

Purple Anyone?

This is a tribute to Prince: The Purple one. His new Album 3121 was just released on March 21st! The man is a musical genius. He plays all of his instruments, writes, arranges, and sings!

Oh, by the way, Itttttttttt's FRIDAY!!!!!!!

Russian Style

Yesterday, I was early for my voice lesson and decided explore the neighborhood. Well, I looked up and saw the most amazing structure: a Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The Russians really know how to design a catherdral. I was unable to get more pictures because my battery went dead. The battery dead situation also prevented me from taking pictures of the drummers last night at my new African Dance Class. It was wonderful exercise. I was sweating everywhere. Today buns ache!!

Self Portrait Tuesday

I am completely addicted to this website called: Self Portrait Tuesday! It is so interesting to see the pictures people take of themselves. More interesting is the body parts that they are willing to share. This is my self portrait for today! I know it is Wednesday, but I am getting ready for next week. I love this necklace. I purchased it in Cancun, Mexico last summer. The charm is supposed to be of the Aztec/Mayan Sun or Calendar. I thought it was very authentic for the location. I am positive that I would have enjoyed Cancun more in February, because it was too hot. The whole time I was there I was in kept thinking to myself, "Oh my god!!! It is just too hott !!!"

The Newton White Mansion

Yesterday, I had to leave work earyl to go to the bank which closes at 3:00! I can't believe no one has complained about that! Anyway, on my way home I decided to stop and take some pictures of the Newton White Mansion. I sang at a wedding there a few years ago and thought it was pretty neat. There was not much interesting there. Just really cool door knobs.

My Insides!

This is how I feel about my life right now. I just want to SCREEAMMMM!!! I feel so disconnected. I am so confused, I just don't know which way to turn!

BACI Recital

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Last night I went to my friend Roseangela's, duo recital with trumpet and solo piano works.The atmosphere was really nice because the room was also an art gallery. Both the musicians did a magnificent job!! I am really inspired to learn some Brazilian Repertoire! I was so proud to say that I knew Rose and we went to school together!! She is a wonderful pianist!! I was sad when we parted! It is always nice to have friends with good energy around!!
On a happy note: I am so glad that"Ittttttttt'ssss FRIDAY!!!!

Old Friend for Dinner

One of my friends from college is here visiting. Actually she specializes in Brazilian music and will be performing at the Brazilian Embassy which is really cool. It was so good to see her and talk to another professional musician after spending everyday with children!! Anyway, I am ready to make some tremendous musical changes in my life and she gave me some great musical advice! Now, I just have to work out a master plan!! We ate at King Street Blues in Alexandria, VA. It has really cool decorations inside. But, the most important fact is that the food was delicious!! Blues usually means BBQ!!! BBQ is my favorite..YUMMY!!!! We ate like PIGS!!!

Testing....

We have been testing today and tomorrow. Well, actually the children have been testing. There are no real classes and it just feels like I am sitting around twirling my thumbs. I keep trying to throw away papers that I don't need and straighten up my room a little bit, but even that gets boring after after a while!

Disney Showstoppers

What a weekend! I really had a great weekend! Nothing spectacular happened, it was just nice get some sun! Anyway, this morning I was looking at my friend Susan's website and saw these interesting pictures. They seem more interesting because right now I am preparing a "Magnificent Spring Assembly" with the 2nd graders. Their songs include: The Great Outdoors, Hakuna Matata, It's a Small World, and the Tiki Tiki Room. I imagine the bird to look similar to this bird posted above! The kids are very excited! They will be creating mask and doing other arts & crafts in preperation for the program. I am such a teacher!!

Spring Time

Spring is in the air! The weather is going to be extremely nice this weekend. I am going to go to the store this evening and buy some food to cook on the grill!!! Chicken, burger, vegetables, salad and some fruit salad! I am very excited! My body, spirit and soul is ready for fun in the SUN!!! Oh, by the way: IT'S THE WEEKEND BABY!!!

Breakfast..where?

Today, the cafetria staff hosted breakfast! I heard tales of crab cakes, quiche: spinach and lorraine, fruit, juice, hash brown potatoes, and other breakfast foods. By the time I got upstairs there was absolutely nothing!!! Not even a piece of fruit! What am I working with!!

The Color Purple

My birthday is coming up on April 6th! I convinced my father to come and visit me so that we can go visit our cousins in New York. While we are there, I hope we can go see the new Broadway Musical The Color Purple !!! A few years ago I saw The Lion King on Broadway and it was an amazing production!! I am so excited! I have a terrible habit of treating my birthday like a National Holiday!

Grade Time!

Well, it's grade time again! I have to do grades for about 400 students! Insane!! Amazingly, that is not half as stressful as coordinating the Black History Month Program! A lot of people use some computer program to calculate grades. I use the old school method of gradebook and pencil!

Crash Won!!!

Well, Oscar got it right! The movie Crash walked away with the award for Best Movie! I personally loved the movie because it confronted almost every culture steroetype and misjudgment of character that happens on a daily basis! It was an awesome movie and truly deserved to win. It has to be one of the best movies ever!!

What a Week!!

~Feeling tired~By the fire ~

~The long day is over ~

~The wind is gone~ Asleep at dawn
~The embers burn on ~

~With no reprise~ The sun will rise ~

~The long day is over~

(Norah Jones)

This has been the longest week!! I am soo tired! I hope to get revived this weekend!I don't know how. I am doing a show tonight, judging a talent show tomorrow, and then beginning rehearsal for a new show on Sunday that is in Czech!

The most important thing is that:

"IT'S THE WEEKEND BABY!!!"

drooooopy!!!

I can't believe I was crazy enough to go to work today! I don't think I fell asleep until maybe 3:00 this morning. It took a long time for my mind to settled down. You won't believe the first thing the students asked me when they walked into class: "When is the next program!!" I need to recover from the excitement from last night!!! I am going to go home and go to sleep for real!!!