With great Power comes great Responsibility

Yea, I'm a fan of superhero films. The life of an opera singer (in training) is nothing less short of a superhero character. Here's what it's like for the uninitiated: Singing gorgeous melodies and making it look easy under high pressure; physical fitness, eating healthy, and of course the Intense practice sessions, learning foreign languages and keeping an eye out for the the usual 'games' in the business. Propah Bond girl, I'd say!

But above all the fancy-schmanciness of it all, there's the utmost divinity in creating that Moment of bliss for an audience that only the Singer is responsible for. That's why it is the humblest role to play. Forgetting this, (and from the looks of it, many do) means forgetting your Soul, forgetting what you were brought here on this beautiful planet to do.

You don't have to save the world or the environment or the tiger to be a hero; You have to live a life with your Soul. The Power is right there. Look within and you have all the answers to all questions of Life. No, you won't find the number 42 in there (hint: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy ;) ) ...But there is one thing you will find, and that is: Truth.

"Via, Veritas, Vita"

"I do, too" said the woodland creature

About a year ago, I decided to spend the rest of this amazing life with a wonderful man. Needless to say, it has been the best decision ever. But that's not what this post is about...it's about 'mushier' stuff ;)

Like a squirrel falling from the roof of the church and landing right in front of us just as we were saying our vows. It was completely stunned for a second and as soon as it gathered its whereabouts, it scampered right over the altar and up the cross to the roof!

We were all caught unawares, and I had to do my best to stifle a giggle; but it was one of the funniest, cutest and adorable memories that I cherish from that day.

Learning a language

Liebe Freunde,

Anyone can learn a new language if one has the motivation and well, the money. (Without the first, the second is useless). I love learning, so learning a language obviously gets me 'high' and learning about the culture, spirit and history of a place becomes even more interesting if one knows the language!

Currently, my new language interest is German. This one's tough at first. You have to break through all the stereotypes about "Oh, German is such a rude language" and "Whoa! German?! How are the noun-gender issues working out for you?" and so on...you know, the curious, inquistive questions.

It took me a month of alternate day classes to break through this beautiful language; but three years to really have life bring it to me! (This is because three years ago, I signed up for a course thinking I could juggle an intensive German course with work; and the following years had me switching jobs and moving cities...fun stuff ;) )

Of course, I'm currently at kindergarten level with the language...you know, introducing onself, spelling, imperative tenses and yes, writing postcards ;). I intend to learn the language at a professional level - because it's so challenging and I love a challenge!

Bis Bald,

Tschuss! <3

Of tunes that pop out of nowhere

The topic for my first post arises from a thought that always enchants me: How do particular tunes stick in our heads and arise in our minds during the most unexpected times?

The other day my husband happened to be rhyming words to a tune that sounded familiar and annoying! I thought it might have been a silly tune he picked up from a random jingle or one of those newbie hits of today that he might've heard at work; so I ignored it and went about the usual mundane chores of practice, teaching and house cleaning.

A few days later, he was singing the same tune to rhyming words again! Back from a tiring day, I just had to know what the original tune was! Guess? It was two phrases from the Flower duet from Delibes' Lakmé! That had me in splits as I'd have never guessed it out of context from the whole song! Just so that you know, he hadn't heard that piece in over a year now!

There something magical about how a simple melody can spark up your mind anytime! I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of composers, specifically for this post : Mozart, Schubert, Delibes, Schumann, Weil, Prokofiev...the list goes on. For today, these are the composers who spark our life, whose tunes catch us while cooking, cleaning, gaming, biking etc. I can't wait for the hundreds we will spark up to on this journey on earth.