isn't it unfair little boys have longer eyelashes than big girls?

Sometimes we have to take matters into our own hands.

Sometimes we go a bit too far

Soprano

So...after years and years of thinking and talking about it, I finally arranged to take voice lessons. Yes, I have sung my entire life, mostly in choirs and such, but never took private lessons. I just started 2 weeks ago. It has been fun and very eye opening to some things I have done wrong for a long while. My teacher informed me yesterday that I am definitely a natural soprano! What?!? Why have I always been partial to the Alto part? Well partly, I'm sure, because I was very good at hearing and sight reading harmony. Singing high hasn't necessarily been my forte either-but I'm learning why. So watch out, high notes! here I come! I even have my first performance next week at a recital!

"Altos are only Sopranos that used to smoke" --Bishop Bettinson

World Cup

Ben and I went to some World Cup Skiing events this weekend. We got to see the mogul and aerials competitions. It was a blast! I even stayed warm (thanks to my new down coat, ugg boots and hand warmers). The skiers were amazing!! The speed and the jumps just blew my mind. There was some incredible talent there. It made me doubly excited to see them at the Olympics next month!

Random Photo Captions

No one likes to be hug-deprived. Right daddy?

New Years Dinner

So, I got a bunch of new and exciting spices, and several flavor books, for Christmas! I'm addicted to the Flavor Bible and the Cook's encyclopedia. I've been studying and imagining up all sorts of creative foods to make ever since then. If you thought I had adventurous tastes before....beware!

I started out the new year with a fun dinner, inviting my parents and Rachel n' Jeff to be my guests for the "food experience" (a term that has come to mean almost anything Emily makes because I will always challenge you to get out of your food comfort zone). I made up each dish on my very own (down to the dressing) and was very proud of the result.

Here was the menu:

Drink: Lemon and cucumber water

Appetizer: Bruschetta with brie and blueberries/cardamom-spiced pears

Salad: Spring greens w/red onion, feta, cayenne-caramelized pecans and cherry dressing

Main Course: Rosemary, mushroom and apricot stuffed pork loin

Saffron risotto with Spanish paprika

Dessert: lemon-coconut creme brulee

Although all very tasty, the surprise hit of the night: cayenne-caramelized pecans. I can't wait to make those again.

Recap of 2009

Highlights of 2009

• meeting and dating Ben
• performing in an opera
• hot air balloon ride
• wake surfing
• first paid professional speaking gig (ADEU conference)
• getting a real piano in my house
• new Mac laptop
• buying an iphone
• rock climbing course
• seeing Wicked in Denver
• cherry blossom festival in D.C.
• 3 new nieces
• new creme brulee torch
• St. George trip and hikes
• rafting in Moab
• flying with my dad in his plane
• seeing my brother get sealed to his adopted baby girl
• Carmina Burana live (performed by my parent's choir)

pretty cool year when you look back on it all. Hope to make 2010 even better!!

Neglect

I know I have seriously neglected you, my poor little blog. I now repent and promise to not procrastinate posting because I am waiting for the "perfect picture" that someone else has and will not send me. I will find more things to share with you. After all, it's a new year...