Monday, December 31, 2012

auld lang syne ... a year in review

This year has been a year of extremes. Extreme highs and extreme lows ... full of pursuing dreams and being completely broke. I mean seriously broke - I'm pretty sure I had more money when I was in college not working at all than I've had this year. Being broke suques {sound it out} hard core and it's really cramping my shoe habbit. And my audition habbit. We're working to change all of that.

So what have I done with myself this year?

I gave up the home I love and left my wonderful family of friends in Greensboro to follow my dream. Cramming your life into a 10x5 storage unit has a way of bringing everything into perspective. I left 3 semi-cushy jobs and 60 hour work weeks {certainly don't miss those}. Leaving Greensboro was truly one of the hardest things this year has brought ... When you have such a close-knit group of wonderful people who share your passions well, that's not something that happens often. And I miss them all terribly.

I made debuts with Nashville Opera, Opera Roanoke, and Opera Carolina ~ all as part of young artist programs. I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I love every day and that I've been able to find people who not only pay me to sing {as if I could possibly want more}, but also encourage me every day. I have met some of the most ah.mazing people this year and formed life-long friendships {you know who you are ;)}.

I spent six wrenching weeks in the hospital with my brother, Michael, wondering if he was going to live. {I'm not exaggerating even a little bit} It was awful. No one slept. We all wept and sat in a hazy, empty existance for those weeks. I drank way too much alcohol and ate too much junk {and had about an extra 15lbs to show for it... which has finally left my body *thankgod*} He's made an amazing, full recovery that no one ever thought would be possible. I.never.want.to.do.that.again.

I moved home. I started seriously running and ran my first *ever* 5-mile race with my fabulous sister, Sarah. {We ran the Columbus Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day and I was so proud of myself. I think it's kind of a big deal.} I got to spend more time with my family this year than I think I have in the last decade combined. It's been wonderful and terrible. Living with your parents is completely glamorous, btw.

I reconnected with one of my heroes, Lynn Roseberry. Soprano, teacher, beautiful human, breast cancer survivor. She is kind of my second mother. I first met Lynn when I was 14, when I auditioned for voice lessons. She's had more influence on my life than almost any other person I've known.

So what will the new year bring? I'm heading back to Charlotte later this week to begin the second leg of my contract with Opera Carolina and I'll be there through the end of March. I get to help my sister plan her wedding with her amazing fiance, Jarod {they're adorable and completely perfect for each other. they even build forts in their living room}. And I'm really, truly starting to do some freelance work to help pay the bills and give me more freedom to do what I love. It's gonna be a good year.