Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Wicked!

Wicked was wicked amazing! I loved every second of it. This time, instead of being sat 10 rows back in the orchestra, I was right at the very, very, VERY back on the mezzanine and right on the end of the row. Lofty! Thankfully, the Gershwin Theatre is designed very well and the rows were steeped enough (does that even make sense? I have no clue but I guess you'll understand what I mean) so that people's heads were not in your way at all. The only real thing that made me realise that I was on the last row was that it took me a long time to notice that Elphaba (is it weird that I really like that name? Probably a good thing that I won't be having children any time soon. For the next hamster maybe?) was wearing glasses. I mean, she IS green so that probably didn't help but it was only when they caught the light ever so slightly that I saw them (and even then I wasn't totally sure until Glinda was making her over!). I loved Wicked even though I didn't really know the music (except for the song that Alex plays on the piano - and even then I didn't realise that it was a sad one) or the story. Both were pretty awesome and I must say that I was a little quicker than some of the people sitting around me at working out just how things fitted into the story.

Wicked made me cry. I mean, REALLY cry. I think it was happy tears. In fact, I'm sure of it cos I first started bawling when the flying monkey spoke! That was a good thing. That sounds very weird if you don't know the story, I'm sure!

I would go and see Wicked again in a second. I would probably pay the $300+ for the premium ticket (if I had that kind of money lying around - maybe I should tidy my room again!) if I had to. It was just truly awesome!

I do think it is funny that two Broadway musicals have main characters who are green (the other is Shrek).

On a totally new topic, I've been watching a little of the Australian Open. My favourites are out now though. My first favourite: Marat Safin (lost to Federer)
My second favourite: Marcos Baghdatis (lost to Djokovic)
My third favourite: Andy Murray (lost to Verdasco).

Bummer! But at least Djokovic is now out. That boy does himself no favours!

I'm not too interested in the Women's draw. I would have liked to see Jelena Dokic win. She has been through so much and I would love to see her come back strong without being under her dad's influence. She did well to get to the quarters.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Random Link

I've been reading through Confessions of A Pioneer Woman (from the end which is weird but I guess that is mostly how it works with blogs!). Anyhow, I can't stop laughing at this particular post... although I don't want to laugh too loud because it is around midnight-ish and I don't particularly want others to awaken at the sound of my laughter.

Maybe you won't find this as funny as I did but why not take a look and see?

http://thepioneerwoman.com/2008/12/poor_victorian_women.html

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Productive Day.......

I FINALLY worked out how to put some extra things on my blog.
A day well spent I think!
If the music gets annoying, the player is at the bottom of the page and can be paused!

Today was a little mad and I can't believe that it is only Wednesday. This week is a LOOOOOOOOONG one. Maybe it is because I am going to see Wicked on Saturday and am SUPER excited about it. I got the last ticket in the 'reasonable' price range for that showing. I tried to get a ticket for last Saturday's evening performance but wasn't quite prepared to pay the $300+ for a premium ticket (the only available).
So, last Saturday having bought my Wicked ticket (try saying that five times really fast. It is just like Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry!) I somehow made the decision to stand in line at TKTS to get a ticket for a show that evening. Genius. It was 14 degrees Fahrenheit. That is -10 degrees Celsius. The line for the TKTS booth in Times Sq is always really long. But in the past it has moved pretty fast. Not today though! Of course not. The line just has to move as slowly as possible when your toes feel like they are going to fall right off your feet. Eventually, after waiting about an hour, I got to the booth and got a discounted ticket for The Little Mermaid. I then ran (as fast as my frozen stumpy legs could carry me) to the nearest Starbucks to warm up. By this point I was in pain and nearly crying but, incredibly, I survived!!

So, was my trial worth it?
Short answer: Yes!
Long answer: YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

I was in Row J in the orchestra section (or the Stalls as we call them back home. But a stall here is like a toilet cubicle and that wouldn't be worth the price or the cold!) so, only 10 rows back. The show was incredible and I would definitely recommend it. I have seen 3 Disney musicals on Broadway: The Lion King (twice), Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid. I think I would rate The Little Mermaid in the middle of the other two. Nothing can beat The Lion King but all are certainly worth going to see. I definitely enjoyed my night. I laughed, I cried and grinned my way through an absolutely AMAZING show.
The highlight was definitely the kid who played Flounder, Brian D'Addario. In the Broadway musicals I have seen, the kids tend to be OK. Not brilliant and certainly their singing on the night hasn't been wonderful (I know, I know! Like I could do it! But I expect.... no, demand brilliance!) but this kid was absolutely astounding! P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

The lady sitting in front of me was weepy at the end. She told me it was because she was remembering when her daughter was younger and used to have Flounder and Sebastian as her imaginary friends. The girl, who is probably about 14 or 15 years old now, was standing right next to her mother as she was telling me this. I don't think she was impressed at this story being told. Apparently Flounder and Sebastian were shipped off to her aunt's house when her baby brother was born because she didn't think that they would like him. Such a cute story. Bet her mum got in trouble for telling it though!

Only 3 more days until Wicked.............

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

With is ALWAYS better!

It is funny to me how obviously better my day goes when I walk it with the Lord. Everything seems better, even when things don't go as I expect them to.
Today was not one of those days. I kick myself when I come to the end of these days. Why can I never learn?!

I need to be totally reliant on God. I can't do this myself. Not a second of it!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Only in New York......

A truly incredible story.

I probably could find an American news site that says more but can't fault the good ol' beeb. Gives you all the info you need (I think!).

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Jaw dropping mind benders

Last Wednesday my jaw dropped!! I mean, really dropped. I'm surprised that I ever managed to pick it up again.
I was picking up the girls from CCD (Catholic religion classes). Michella's class is usually the last one out (which I find weird cos it is the youngest class!) and so Julianna and I were just waiting outside in the freezing cold. Gotta tell you, the wait was pretty boring. Julianna had left me to discuss premature babies with some other kids from her class. So, I was minding my own business as much as I could but I overheard a conversation between one of the teachers and Julianna's teacher. She leant over to him and said this:
'I was reading my Bible the other day and I discovered something.'
He turns to her, 'Oh?'
'Yes! Did you know that Lot was Abraham's nephew??' she said incredulously.
'Um... yes I did', said he.
'Well, I had NO CLUE!', she said!

Remember, this woman TEACHES religion!! She teaches these kids about THE BIBLE!
I was pretty shocked. Um, she probably should have realised that a LONG time ago. I'm sorry, but I do believe that if you are teaching something then you should know about what you are teaching. Abraham and Lot are pretty big players in the Bible.
Maybe it is just me who thinks that is important but I was SHOCKED!

On another note, I was asked an interesting question the other day. Robbin is trying to sort out the 8th grade year book and the lady who is helping her came over with her 3 kids - one is obviously in 8th grade and two younger ones. Anyway, we were playing on the Wii and the boy asks me this question: 'What is your culture?' It was so out of the blue that I had no idea how to answer. Thankfully, what he really meant was 'Where are you from?' and that one is easier to answer... although still maybe a little complicated. But it did get me thinking... what is my culture? I would rather not be growing up in the English or Scottish culture but as a child of God. It is something that still has got me thinking, especially about what I value most in this life. I wish to live the culture that God intended humans to live. I have always prided myself on my Scottish heritage (I LOVE Scotland!) but that is so totally unimportant compared to belonging to my God. I am all for Him! He wants us to lead a life that goes beyond any worldly culture.

Finally, it snowed again today but at one point it looked as if glitter was falling from the sky! Beautiful!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Brilliant

Don't know how but I found this on YouTube.
It is from the Fast Show (don't like most of their stuff but this is funny!) and a lot of it was filmed in Darlington - I guess the countryside bit is around Darlo somewhere but can't be sure!

Enjoy!

Friday, January 09, 2009

Homecoming Scotland 2009

Caledonia:


List of celebrities and the locations they appearing in front of are:
Edinburgh Castle – Sir Sean Connery
Strathisla Distillery, Keith, Speyside – Kelly Brown, Thom Evans, from the Scottish Rugby Team
Ring of Brodgar, Orkney – Brian Cox
Glasgow Science Centre – Chris Hoy
Turnberry – Sam Torrance
Castle Stalker - Lulu
Buachaille Etive Mhor, Glencoe – Amy Macdonald
Far Beach, Sutherland – Sandi Thom
Robert Burns Statue, Dumfries – Eddi Reader

I think it is a pretty cool advert for Homecoming Scotland 2009.
Special applause need to go to the two rugby players and Chris Hoy (oops, sorry! SIR Christopher of Hoy, I should say :-)!). They look so uncomfortable but actually do a pretty good job. Good job on your singing effort Sir Sean Connery!...... That is called talking!
I would personally cut out Lulu and put in some other Scot - Ewan MacGregor? James MacAvoy? Andy Murray? A Scottish footballer? I'd even prefer Jackie Bird! Well, maybe not Jackie but definitely not Lulu!

I was interested that they have Amy Macdonald singing infront of Glencoe! Because that is something that EVERY Macdonald wants to remember(!)

All in all a good ad though! Guess Homecoming Scotland 2009 is fairly appropriate for me!

What makes hair grow?....

was the question that popped out of Michella's mouth this evening. The answer? Well, other than God does, I had nothing to give her. She then talked to me about vitamins. I guess that helps.

We also had this conversation:

M: You are my favourite nanny.
J: That is because I am here. When the next nanny comes, she will be your favourite and when the one after that comes then she will be your favourite.
M: Nope, you'll always be my favourite........... unless they are nicer than you!

She is too funny!

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Geocaching with Chen Li

I introduced Chen Li to geocaching. It was a lot of fun.
The first of the day: On Location NYC "The Odd Couple"

Chen Li's amazing effort while taking a picture!
Snug as a Bug in Central Park. We had no luck at this time.
Chen Li's first cache: Riftstone
Lakeside View
A Million In Cash Cache
Seannie's Cache
We finally got Snug as a Bug! Hooray!
Chen Li took me to Chinatown to a Chinese restaurant

Another Saturday geocaching: Logging High in Central Park on my copy of Vogue Knitting!

The Pool
North Meadow Rec Center #2



Lots of fun caching!

Photo Soup

First, my second weekend at the Campbells' house in PA. We went geocaching on Saturday morning. Mairi found one....
Meg and I made shortbread on Saturday evening. Tina was sick so we couldn't let her anywhere near it. While the shortbread was in the oven we watched tapes of Blue Peter. Good ones with Simon and Matt. Awesome stuff!
Butter:
Sugar:
Flour:
Wearing our pinnies. We worked so hard that we got flour all over our faces.
Not true. We put it there on purpose. We are THAT cool!
Shaping the biscuits:
And I'm gonna tell you, the shortbread tasted awesome!! Had to put my new found shortbread skills into good use the next week cos I needed to make something for the lighting of the Crestwood Christmas tree which was a Girl Scout event. I tried to call Megan to get the recipe but they weren't in so I had to find a recipe on the internet. It ended up well though.

The girls and I made some cookies (shortbread-esq). They were red and green (so I had stained hands from the food colouring) and Julianna decided that we should make them for Santa so we made them again for Christmas Eve.



When it snowed heavily about two weeks Kerry next door made snow candy.

The recipe called for freshly fallen snow packed into roasting tins and maple syrup heated until thick.