Since my last blog post, I received my final "No Thank You" (I'd like to avoid the word "rejection", though ultimately that's what they were) emails from companies for whom I auditioned or applied in Europe. Unfortunately, I came to realize that this isn't my time to stay in Europe. The audition season is over for the summer and the 2011/2012 season, so now it is time for me to alter my plan and goals a bit.
Needless to say, it was a tough month! My family's visit could not have come at a better time. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a family to help keep things in perspective, and I am so incredibly grateful to have a family that supports and encourages me, during the best AND worst times.
I'm not going to dwell on those rejections in this post. I've been doing enough of that. Life is just too short and I'm much too fortunate to beat myself up over a not-so-successful audition season. And besides, I felt like I sang my best for every single audition, and that's what's most important!
My family's week-long visit was an absolute whirlwind. We had such a wonderful time together; it was the first time in a long time that the four of us were together for such an extended period of time! I was so happy that they were finally able to see everything and meet all of the people I've been talking about so much these last seven months.
I hope you enjoy these photos from my family's visit. They were so excited to "make the blog"!
This is the first photo from the trip. We went to the grocery store to pick up some things for dinner with the Herkners, and found G. Russo & Co. Clementines! Who would've thought, in Vienna?! The women working behind the deli looked at us like we were crazy. Good thing my mom explained...I wonder if they understood English? ;)
On our way to the Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world still in existence in its original function!
Checking out the giraffes...
We all got a kick out of the penguins.
My dad took this picture of my mom and me. I think my brother was already on his way to find the wolves at this point. He was so excited to see the wolves!
All I cared about seeing was this baby elephant. I had remembered hearing about him this past fall, and I finally got to see him! It was so cute watching his interactions with the big guys.
After the zoo, we strolled along the palace grounds to the Schönbrunn Palace. I'm sure you remember this from previous blog posts; it's one of my favorite places to visit in Vienna. As you can see, we were very lucky with the weather on this day!
Does anyone know what this sign means? "No standing with your arms out to the sides"? If anyone knows, please comment! We were so confused!
The Guys on the Gloriette at the top of the palace grounds, overlooking Vienna.
After our day at Schönbrunn, we decided to head to Grinzing, a wine tavern village in the outskirts of Vienna. My mom and I certainly enjoyed some female camaraderie, as we've both been living in very male-dominated households since I left home!
Our first wine cellar visit of the evening.
We ended our evening at the wineries with authentic Austrian cuisine!
Vinzi has been learning to play the recorder this year. He has never really wanted to practice, until my brother came and played some duets with him. Since Guy has left, Vinzi's been practicing every day! It's so much fun to observe how impressionable young children are.
On our way to the opera, standing in front of the Hofburg palace.
Our night at the opera! I surprised my family with tickets to Bellini's "La Sonnambula". Although we had pretty terrible seats (someday I hope to provide my family with COMP tickets!) we still had a wonderful time, and were very impressed by some of the singers. My family was also able to meet my coach, David, at intermission, and he gave us a quick tour of backstage.
Bro & Sis :)
I love this picture of my mom & dad. My brother and I are so lucky to have them as our role models for life!
I was thrilled to finally get to introduce my family to my favorite person in Vienna, Hüseyin, a.k.a. DER WELTMEISTER. Have I already told you about him? Maybe. The Weltmeister owns the Turkish kebap stand at the market close to the Herkners, and I see him at least twice a day. I call him the Turkish Mr. Bean, and I think this picture captures his character perfectly! He's always a breath of fresh air and happy to see me. He's incredibly personable and friendly, and it's so nice having someone here who can make me laugh!
He also makes the best kebap in Vienna. My dad and brother certainly enjoyed theirs!
Here are Guy and me on our way to an Irish Pub to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
Walking to the pub...
And here we are! The Bogside Inn Irish Pub in Vienna, Austria. With a REAL Irishman as our waiter! I told my dad that this photo was "definitely blog worthy". :)
My mom showing off the pub's whiskey collection.
Who would've thought that my first green beer ever would be in Vienna?
We also had coffee with my friend, Kornel, whose grandmother performed with my dad in the Pittsburgh Dear Friends! We had some pretty great Pittsburgh pride going on, too.Well, there you have it. Another wonderful experience in Vienna, and memories that I will never forget.
As far as my future goes, I don't have any "official" news yet regarding this fall, but I'll be leaving Vienna on May 20th. I'm going to be living in Pittsburgh this summer working for Carnegie Mellon School of Music's Pre-College program. I can also tell you that things are "looking positive" for my return to IU in the fall to pursue the doctorate.
Since I now have less than two months left, I'm going to try to post at least once a week with a special memory from my time here. I have a tendency to get a bit down when I look back on this year, since the outcome wasn't as I had planned in terms of my career. But, it was still an incredible experience, and I've learned so much and I'm so thankful.
My time in Vienna has been just another part of my journey, and I'm confident that everything is going to turn out just fine. I certainly haven't lost my drive or passion. In fact, I feel so much stronger and wiser than I did in September. Maybe that's what this year abroad was really all about for me. Sometimes it's not until it's over that you realize the true purpose of such a unique experience.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back very soon!
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