Well, where do I start? We decided to go ice skating. He let me drive. We went to the Olympic Oval. I was surprised to find that I still had a little bit of skill left from the last time I went skating. Was still able to feel somewhat graceful, turn around, skate backwards, cross over into turns. Didn't fall down once. I wish I could say the same for him, the poor guy. He didn't seem too embarrassed though. Very confidant and positive. Loved every minute of it. I'm glad he doesn't take himself too seriously. He held my hand most of the time. It was really sweet. Thankfully, he didn't take me down with him every time he fell.
After our feet were DONE with the skates, we grabbed dinner at Panda Express. He fell asleep in the car as I drove him home. It was kinda sweet. I didn't want to wake him so I carried him to his room and gave him a kiss goodnight. Good thing I don't have a room mate anymore or I suppose I'd be owing her ice cream! I'm posting a few pictures below that I snapped with my phone. Enjoy!
(He got mad when I wouldn't stay sitting on the bench and let him take off by himself)
Despite my being sick and down for the count the entire weekend, we turned up some pretty sweet moments.
We read the book I'll Love You Forever at bedtime on Friday night. You know, the one about the woman who breaks into her son's house when he's all grown up because she insists on singing a lullaby to him? Okay, okay, it's kind of a sweet book (minus that part - it kinda makes me want to say, "Cut the cord lady!"). ANYWAY, it's just about a sweet relationship between a mother and son. Soooo even though I'm usually thinking sarcastic thoughts, I started crying. The kiddo tried to give me a side hug from where he was laying next to me on the bed. When it didn't seem to cheer me up to his satisfaction, he climbed up to sit on my stomach, took my face in his hands and said while wiping my eyes with his thumbs, "It's okay Honey, it's okay."
On Saturday, he was sweet enough to let me lay on the couch and fight my cold while we watched movies and he played on the living room floor. There were several moments when he'd come and lean on one elbow on the couch next to my head while watching the movie. We were watching My Fair Lady (his choice, I swear!) and I started quietly singing along to one of the songs. He casually lifted his hand up and covered my mouth without breaking eye contact with the screen. It's like he'd expected and prepared for it!
In the car this morning, we listened to one of our Brite Music CD's (I cannot say enough about this company - I grew up with them and my child(ren) will/are as well). Kiddo is doing a great job of singing along with most of the songs, but the one that cracks me up the most is #10 (you can preview the exact part here) when he says, "Well lil V.I.P. fends. Time fo one mo song. Bout a MARCH! TEN HUT! DA DA DA DA DA HEW WE GO!" He puts all the energy he can into it. I love it! So committed! I know this isn't as good as a video, but maybe someday soon I'll capture it.
When I picked him up after work today, I walked in on him pointing a finger with a stern look on his face at the new assistant and saying, "Mom said to be good. Understand?" Then he noticed that I had walked in and came over to me, looking WAY up at me, but still with finger wagging and repeated, "Understand?!"
I'm sure someday the roles will be reversed and I'll be wagging my finger up at him.
And with that thought, I'm taking my worn out jar and self to bed - full of happy. Goodnight Friends!
I've heard my mother plays this all my life. It's quite possibly her favorite, and mine as well. It will forever belong to her in my mind. I know exactly how she plays every note, although I didn't realize that I did until i went looking for a version to share. You guys have NO IDEA how many versions of this there are on the net and so very few of them have the bittersweet emotion that it does when she plays it. I could hear in the first six notes if it was what I was looking for. Thankfully, the choices I had from playlist.com included one that is just about as close as I could find, even if this one is still a little rushed. There is a sense that every note is being held onto. Their sweetness being savored. Anytime I hear this piece, I close my eyes, take in a slow, deep breath and fight back tears. If you know my mother, maybe you'll understand. I sure can't find the words.... maybe that's why the music says it all.
Puccini's Nessum Dorma from Turandot- Pavarotti
I remember sitting on the floor of my Grandfather's front room, watching a special on PBS with the Three Tenors and hearing this piece. While I got goosebumps when I heard Paul Potts belt this one out, there will never be anyone who can rival the power it has when it was sung by Luciano Pavarotti.
Ooo, bit of a side note. I believe the particular concert we were watching was in 1994 and I remember watching this moment (which I know they repeated a couple times). Something about watching these amazing men ham it up and try to outdo each other made me love them all the more.
Bach's/Gounod's Ave Maria
This is another piece from my mother, but it's one that she and I have played together many times, and still play at least once every time I make it home for a visit. Ohhh the memories that I'd never trade for anything!
The Man You Love - Il Divo
Ok yeah I really went back and forth about even admitting to this one. Here's my sappy side at it's worst. I don't know why I feel so embarrassed every time I have a typically girly moment, but I always do. SO, I'm counting this as a step toward embracing the girly girl in me. I, Honski hereby admit that I melt when I hear this song.
MOVING ON!
Michael Nyman's Impromptu for 12 fingers
AKA Schubert's Impromptu in G flat major Op. 90 No.3 + a few notes
Mr. Nyman's version was arranged for the movie Gattaca - a science fiction drama from the 90's with it's story based around a futuristic society caught up in the ability to manipulate the genetics of children before they are born. This piece is played by a man with 12 fingers. The notes that Nyman added supposedly made it impossible to play with 10.
Hey, did you know that Gattaca was filmed at the Marin County Civic Center in California? Did you also know that the building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright?
If you've driven past it with ANYBODY from the area you'll hear it again!
(or maybe that's just me, I think I tell everyone)
Samuel Medley's I Know That My Redeemer Lives - Arranged by Michael R. Hicks
Yeah I know this is changing pace a little bit, but I couldn't leave this one out. It is the most beautiful arrangement of this hymn that I've ever heard. I was introduced to the music of Michael Hicks (as so many of us were) when I sang the EFY Medley at my 1998 session. Soon after I returned home, I found the sheet music for it and also bought any of his other arrangements that were available. This one happened to be the 2nd. I've played it 100's of times and never tire of it's beauty. I had the great experience of meeting Brother Hicks in 2002 when he came to give a fireside at the University of Utah at which my ward choir was singing a few of his songs. He and his wife happened to be walking in the building at the same time as I was and we started talking. I found out that he'd served in the mission that I grew up in. A few days later I joined the mailing list from his website and over the next few years received updates about his music. In early 2007, (as he has done for a few years) he sent out an email letting people know of areas of the country he'd be visiting in the months to come just in case anybody would like a musical fireside or presentation without having to pay for his travel costs. I was, at the time, living in Las Vegas and noticed that he'd be heading our way the following April. I talked to my ward Relief Society President to see if we wanted to have an Enrichment Activity where he would speak. She referred me to the Stake Relief Society President, saying that it should be on a grander scale. The Stake RS President then referred me to the Stake Music Chairman who thought that we should turn the event into a Stake Youth Fireside. By the time I called Brother Hicks, I had a Stake Youth Fireside all lined up and just needed to know what date would work. He was so kind in being willing to take the time for us and it worked out perfectly. We picked him up from his hotel and he had dinner with our small family before the fireside. He even recognized me from when we met before which totally blew my mind. He played on our floor with Grant and told us about his own son who was about Grant's age, jokingly calling himself "Uncle Mike".
All around great guy and his music... AMAZING! Check out his website.
And lastly
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - performed by Richard Elliot
This performance was the 2009 Pioneer Day Commemorative Concert given by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. I was there. I got tickets and a friend was going to go with me, but then weren't able to at the last minute so I went alone. Check me out, being all brave and stuff, I know. It was a thrilling experience. EVERY piece of music was incredible and I kept wishing that my mother was there with enjoying it as well. I know she would have been getting goosebumps right along with me. Now, if you'd told me that my favorite part of the entire concert would Swing Low, Sweet Chariot performed on the organ, I would have laughed. HOWEVER, having been called to serve as my ward organist two months earlier without any prior experience, I had a newly found respect for ANYONE with talent as an organist. This one completely caught me off guard.
I was speechless! I wanted to jump up and grab the stranger next to me and say, "DO YOU REALIZE HOW CRAZY THAT IS?!" But instead of convincing them of my OWN insanity, I was the first on my feet, cheering as loudly as I could. One of those moments where I didn't care if I was calling attention to myself or who was watching. I just knew that I was even more awestruck by Richard Elliot than I was before.
Not even taking into account all the times these pieces have done the trick before, tonight especially, they filled my jar.
