Singing
First
thing is that, after a rather disastrous session last week, singing on Monday
was wonderful. It’s really difficult for me because, not only am I trying to
learn new techniques, build muscles in and control aspects of my body that
usually go ignored, but I’m trying to do all this while fighting against the
constant thought that I’m rubbish and should just shut up now. It’s the mental
battle that’s the hardest bit and I feel like I’m pushing myself more and more
each time. Last week it was too much and I fell apart a bit. This week, another
student listened in on my class and I managed to carry on. I guess it’s one day
at a time but for a person who refused to sing for years I feel I’ve made so
much personal improvement in the three months or so that I’ve been singing. My
teacher’s also got me working on “Ich gehör nur mir” (I knew it was a mistake
telling her about Elisabeth in my first lesson!) and I managed to hit the last
note so something in me is feeling incredibly good right now.
Christmas
After
my singing lesson yesterday I migrated to Tesco in a state of complete
exhaustion (I had grabbed half an hour of sleep the night before). In my quest
for a postal box, I managed to find some lovely tartan wrapping paper and have
since been sat wrapping gifts for my friends, and family.
One
of the most exciting gifts I’m wrapping is going to a friend of mine from the Netherlands,
Annelies. She had the wonderful idea of swapping some local foods over
Christmas so we’re each sending a box of goodies across the channel. I love
sending things to friends abroad, and receiving things too, as there’s
something lovely about the physical connection when the majority of contact is through
the interweb! Of course, I love food too so this is ideal ;-)
 |
| A small part of the gift parcel for Annelies, featuring my beautiful wrapping paper. |
Actually,
I’m in Havanah heaven right now. I enjoy wrapping and preparing parcels, making
cards etc. There’s something glorious about being able to give someone
something that you have put time and effort into and that looks good. It’s a
lovely way of showing your love and friendship for someone. That said, I’m not
making bows etc this year. Not enough space and the ribbons all clashed with my
(wonderful) wrapping paper!
Cesair
The other happening of a couple of
hours ago was me finding this on my facebook feed.
Again, whoops. Never expected this
to be found either. Oh well, I’m pleased because if, as Thomas said, it made
him, as a member of the band, happy for a little while then that’s wonderful.
Cesair are one of my complete favourite bands and they deserve all the praise
they get! Now go and listen to them!
Christmas Song of the Day
Lukas Perman and Marjan Shaki singing 100,000 Friedenslichter.
Lyrics can be found in the video description if you view it on youtube.
Couple Lukas and Marjan are no strangers to working together, having stared alongside each other in various musicals, recorded an album together. I also really like their voices. It's not them that truly makes this video for me, it's the children. Watch it a few times and you'll see the children nudging each other to pay attention, attempting to organise each other, and generally being adorable. Fitting with this song.
For those of you who don't speak German, I can't find a translation, and I'm too lazy to do one myself, but rest assured that it's got some lovely lyrics. Shame you're missing out ;-)
