CHERYOMUSHKI!!!

See that? That title right thar? Yeah, that's Russian, hehe. ;)
Cheryomushki. Translation? Cherry Trees.

I'm in a show! Originally in Russian, now sung in English by Moores Opera House. This will be my first opera in Houston, so I am excited. As a chorus gal I get to wear a cute 50s dress, and a "construction worker" outfit. Yeah, you kinda need to see the show to get the ridiculousness of it :)

We started doing hair and makeup for the show, gotta love them curls!

I must've done really well with my hair last rehearsal when all the gay guys complimented it. That's big kudos for the opera world <3

I look like a box...but you get the idea. We're so manly =P

The famed hair with curls; wahoo! 

Lovin that har. Forreals. 

Come see Cheryomushki! (click the pic below for show details)

What era hairstyle should I try for funsies sometime? :)

xoxo,
alexandra anne

New Year. 2013 Style.

I wrote this a few days ago, and have decided to share it with ya'll. Here are my thoughts about the past two years and how God has worked in my life. He's so amazing, and the journey continues...

"2011 was the year I fell in love with opera, fell back in love with God, and fell in love with a new man. I had many ups and downs, and they both were extreme for me. At age 17 I had to grow up quite rapidly. My 18th birthday was spent away from family, this was part of the down of the year. 

2012 has been my year of growth. Where in 2011 I discovered my passions, in 2012 I tested them. I flew around the country trying to find my new home. There were times when I had no idea of the future at all, and I had to completely trust God. I gave Him my everything, all my dreams, and one day I said "God, I need an email from Houston today." Within the hour I was accepted to the University of Houston, and had been given a music scholarship from Moores School of Music. 

The past two years have taught me a lot about faith, passion, love, and hope. 2012 has truly been a year of hope for me. I hoped I would get into college, I hoped for my relationship to strengthen, and I hoped to stay strong on my own. 

2013 is here. Beyond this upcoming school semester, I have no idea what this year will hold. I have 3 and 1/2 years left to finish my double major, so school looks like my focus. But where does God want me? What does He want my focus to be on? Where will He take me? What does 2013 look like? 

Healing.

Wisdom. 

Love. 

Strength. 

I'm gonna shine for His glory. 2013 is now." 

 May YOUR 2013 be blessed! 

I'm gonna start this year with gratitude. What are you thankful for? 

xoxo, 

alexandra anne <3 

One Month Later...

Ciao amici! (Hello friends!)

I sincerely apologize for the complete lack of posts this past month; life is too crazy! But Christmas break is close, therefore, I can write more :)

Some quick updates:

*This girl is finishing up her first semester fulltime college living away from home! This means I have 15 credit hours under my belt! (Next semester it appears I will take 13 hours: Music Theory 2, Aural Skills 2, Vocal Diction [French], Piano 4, Voice Lessons, Choir, and American History; super excited!!)

*Next week I head back home to Alabama!!! WAHOO!
*This week I move into my newest place in Houston! WAHOO! (Gonna rent a room in a house! No more dorm life, super duper excited for this change).

*Lindsey Stirling is coming to Houston in February; definitely NEED to go to this concert. She's just amazing. Seriously.

*I love granny smith apples. This isn't new, so it shouldn't fall under my "update" list, but this is  my personal writing space where I make the rules and I can break them! ;)

*Thanksgiving was crazy, busy, but loads of fun! Michael (the boyfriend) came with my family to Edenton, North Carolina to visit the grandparents. My family is a crazy bunch, and I miss them terribly. Our roadtrips are always fun fun fun. :)

*I'm QUITE excited for Christmas; I'm singing at the Christmas eve service at my church (such an honor!) AND I am pretty darn excited to give my people's presents. Seriously. I am just giddy about this :) :) :) (you're gonna love your presents, ya'll, truth!).

*Being healthy is hard. I don't mean to sound whiny, but when you live in a dorm and eat cafeteria food all the time, it is difficult to be healthy. This chick definitely gained a wee bit between orientation to Thanksgiving. I'm trying, ya'll. Trying to get fit and healthy again! Gotta be strong opera gal ;)

*Lately I haven't been a great long-distance communicator, so I feel like a terrible friend. But hopefully ya'll understand, and I promise to write over the break!

*My break is only a little bit over 2 weeks honestly...but I'm okay with this fact. My break ends earlier BECAUSE I come back to Houston a week earlier for opera rehearsal week :) :) :) My first opera with Moores School of Music! (And my 8th opera overall, in a 3 1/2 year period......crazy!)

*God is amazing. Again, not an update, just a fact. :)

*I should probably do my laundry this weekend, I'm running out of socks and undies. (TMI? Apologies. It's all real-talk here).

*I'm a gamer girl. Not an update per se, but I am definitely spending my free time catching up on gamecube and pc games. Just found out that all the original Tomb Raider games are now available on Steam for only $10 each!! Also, I desire more gaming consoles....all I have is my boyfriend's gamecube, which is wonderful, but now I want more ;) Thanks to a music friend here, I also have my own tv! (This is good for study breaks, fyi). So yeah. Gamer girl. This chick. <3

*Music is the hugest blessing in my life lately. On Thursday I woke up very very sick, threw up four times, and had horrid violent dizzy spells. I eventually made it out of my room, and to the music building, because I absolutely had to meet with my pianist. (Friday was my voice lesson final, Thursday was my last chance to practice). Singing was actually what made me feel better! It was the best part of that day, and I am convinced that music is God's personal gift to me. Music is full of healing, and that is a wonderful fact.

So yeah! That's my crazy life in a quick (ish) glimpse :)

Picture time! I'll write more later, promise ;)

xoxo, alexandra anne

The aforementioned Gamecube (well, controllers haha) I'm in a phase. Gamer phase. mhmmm...

Josh's recital; music majors go to a lot of recitals. Since we're random friends, I went to his :)

the man and I on the drive to North Carolina for Thanksgiving <3 

yep, we were color coordinated for Thanksgiving dinner. I love this guy and his handsome face :)

hanging with my little sister (whom I miss a lot a lot!)

right before I visited Huntsville; was SO excited! 

that's my man. no, you can't have him. I'm too darn happy with him <3 

Hop Hop

(Random titles that have nothing to do with your post, awesome right?)

I had a lovely girly night last night with my friend Robynne; we watched "Say Yes To The Dress" (and other girly wedding shows/movies), ate popcorn, perused pinterest, and had way too much fun giggling at life. 

Sometimes, we just need to giggle. Laughter is the best medicine, right? 

There *is* a time for tears, of course. For me, that time was Thursday. I was sick, and had to leave a voice lesson because of it. Honest to goodness, I called my momma and cried my heart out. I know it's not my *fault* for being sick, and that it isn't the end of the world. But I was tired, and felt weak. I miss home, a lot a lot, and I'm very close to my family. They get me. We're all a little crazy ;) 

Laughter and tears both have their place, and sometimes they can be back to back or simultaneous! 

These are the thoughts on my mind this Saturday :)

xoxo,

alexandra anne <3 

3 Weeks Down

Can you believe it? I have been a college gal for 3 weeks now, and I'm still adjusting and figuring it all out. Apparently this means I only have time to blog on Sundays. I might write more once I'm truly settled, but am needing to prioritize my classes and music.

I love Houston, I really do. And I love school; my classes are interesting, my classmates are kind and inclusive, and my music is my love.


Oh, and I'm 19 now. Which means I have a post coming up, soonish. One of those "20 By 20" posts. I want to grow so much more this year, as a daughter of Christ, as a sister, as a friend, as a musician, as a person, as a lover, as a student, etc. I want to be the best Alexandra Anne that God intended me to be.

I'm working on it.

Also, I need to find a job. This will work better once I have wheels...I'm praying that God takes care of my financial situation, and that He guides me to the right scholarships and jobs.

Speaking of prayer; I am currently praying for my Dad's safety in Afghanistan (and his safe travels home, he should be back in Alabama on October 5th!!!) and for healing in his family as his grandmother passed away 3 weeks ago today.

God is good, and He will provide.

These are just the thoughts on my mind today.

Have a good week, ya'll!
xoxo, alexandra anne 

Insta Tuesday Time!

Linking up with Jane at Taingamala for some instagram funness!

Let's see what my week has looked like in instagram pics! :)

Took my siblings to the park, and here I am sitting under a weeping willow; while I am not a "tree hugger" I DO love love love trees! I just love pretty nature :) :) :) My dream home is in a land with lots of trees.

Rockin the workout clothes and amazing headphones; this is how I study ;) 

Paleo friendly brownies! I really need to make a recipe page or a recipe post. 

New jeans from khols! They fit SO great! Which is saying something, because I have the silliest body. Small waist, shapely buttocks, and huge thighs (best friend calls them thunder thighs, well, they ARE strong!) so finding jeans is an adventure full of pain. But, I succeeded in my quest XD 

Speaking of quests, I love tabletop games! This is our group of pathfinder characters, I play with the guys every Sunday, and my character is the rogue on the right sporting a hooded cape and a longbow. Nerd to the core, right here.

Gotta love when the neighborhood pool is empty! :) Took my siblings, quite lovely!

Kiiiiiiiiiiind of obsessed with rings lately; this one was an early birthday gift from my momma.  My birthday is four weeks from tomorrow! 

LOVE this dress. Wore this on the "surprise" picnic boyfriend took me on last week. So comfy, and very girly ;)

 

What has your week looked like? Link up with Jane!
I'm headed to Houston tomorrow, so I'm SUPER excited. Hoping to get some awesome pictures (when I travel I tend to forget to take pictures...it's sad) and I'll instagram them for next week!

xoxo, alexandra anne 

Thursday Nonsense

I cannot come up with a proper title for today's post, because I have SO much to say! :) :) :)

Thank goodness for Sar's Thursday Thoughts and It's OK Thursday link ups

Um, let's try bullet points, because this ADD chick has way too much on her mind.

*In two weeks I move to Houston, Texas, and in 6 days I visit briefly for orientation (anyone in Houston wanna hang on the 15th or 17th in the evening?)

*I'm singing at churches here at home for the next two Sundays, so I'm looking forward to that

*My wonderful/amazing/sneaky/lovely/awesome boyfriend surprised me with a picnic in the park last night! (Story below)

*We watched Phantom of the Opera when we came home, so all morning I've had "Angel Of Music" and such in my head. That show always makes me want to have multiple voices so I could sing every part at once. ;) Yes, I want to eat my cake too.

*I want to start composing music and writing stories again. Seriously. I'm terrible about finishing (I stink at follow through...) but I think I am willing to train myself to have better self discipline.

*I love love love classical music; or even just big orchestral music. That has been playing on my iTunes a LOT this week.

*Apparently I won a giveaway on Whitney's blog! I will soon have ad space on Myra's blog :) Thanks ladies!

*I am obsessing over Lindsey Stirling's music lately; violin amazingness.

*At some point I should take that math placement test...like...today, probably...which means tomorrow ;)

*Thank you pinterest for awesome workout ideas! I had a PUMPIN' workout yesterday!! :) I got so so into it, and that NEVER happens. I just kept going and going and loved it. However, my body hates me today hehe, we will work on this. Meaning, I will push and push more.

*God is SO good and is constantly surprising me with His blessings, and sometimes He even lets me in on His plan ;) (I'm sure He laughs at me A LOT because I'm little miss planner girl.....yeah, I know it isn't up to me....)


Ok, now for the story of my date last night ;)
(Btw, for the sake of clarity, M = boyfriend. It's just easier to type ;) )

On Tuesday M asked me if he could call my mom to work out our schedule of dates for the rest of the week. He then chatted me online saying he'd pick me up Wednesday at 6. Cool beans. He also told me that his mom wanted to cook for me, since we would be hanging at his house. I, of course, reacted with "awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!"

Wednesday 6pm came around, and he arrived at my house to pick me up. He came inside to say hi to my family, as is the norm for us. Mom asked me to go practice piano with Thomas really quickly before we left, especially because she had a piece of furniture for M to put in the truck (I didn't question this, as, I cannot lift big furniture, plus she had mentioned it the other day anyway).

We get in his car a few minutes later, and he starts telling me about his day and then says "I still have one more errand to run actually, downtown. Your mom said you wouldn't mind." I replied "all I want is to spend time with you, so I'm chill." It is true! I would've been content to just drive around all day with him, if that were our plan.

So, the exit comes up for downtown Huntsville, and I ask where he has to go and he says "well, once I find the park then I can know where it is in relation to that." Ok, that makes sense, the park is a good landmark. Plus, driving downtown is horrendous in my opinion.......silly one way streets. We eventually do find the park, and he pulls up to the parking meter to park. As we get out, I ask him, "so where are we going?" He merely says, "Right here." I think I looked at him funny, and he walked to the back of the car, opened the trunk and said to me "A reliable source says you likes picnics at the park." XD He pulled out a picnic basket and a blanket. I was COMPLETELY surprised, and so so very very happy.

Turns out that he and both our mothers were in on this. His mom made us the yummy food, he and my mom coordinated a cover story (hehe, the little liars pulled it off) and she donated a huge picnic basket.

I had a lovely time with M on a beautiful day at the park. It was so nice to enjoy each other's company, even though for an hour or so I could not process that it was actually happening. I was in such shock ;)
We even heard someone playing saxophone (of course it was "for us" we said), and a gentleman who walked by gave us the thumbs up and said "Great idea! Good job!" I'm so glad we gained a stranger's approval. =P

M was a true gentleman, and even defended me from evil  geese and a monstrous (ok, it wasn't that bad) bee. It was a perfectly lovely evening with my man :)

Have a good rest of the week ya'll!
xoxo, alexandra anne

Ciao & Howdy!

Hey readers :) How's your week going? I bought jeans yesterday, which is pretty exciting for this girl who mainly sticks to skirts and dresses and the like. (Can I say, I love Plato's Closet prices?!? YEAH! I'm oh so thrifty you see...) and I also attended a movie night with boyfriend and his guys. We had some good laughs, and some good pizza, and I was thoroughly entertained by Captain America and Mystery Science Theater, both of which I had never seen.

Tomorrow I am SUPER excited to meet up with a girly who went to U of Houston as a music major, and we have mutual friends HERE in Alabama! Small world right? We'll be grabbing coffee and such, I can't wait to hear her stories :)

Today I'm linking up with Mrs. Monologues for the monthly blog star link-up! (Where, I have to write about myself....k.........I always feel so vain....)

First off, Hi! I'm Alexandra Anne, but I go by...well, that IS what I go by. I have a plethora of nicknames, you see, and each one has a story and special meaning. You can read about that here.

I'm an 18 (5 weeks shy of 19) year old, about to head off to college full time (I say full time because I HAVE taken college classes, and I HAVE lived on my own, but now I'm doing it all together) in Houston, Texas! I'll be at the University of Houston Moores School of Music as a vocal performance major. This leads me to my next point:

I sing opera. That music where the fat lady sings really really loudly and dresses like a viking? Yeah that stuff. Although in my case it would be more like, that music where the boy is played by a woman, or the woman is a gypsy who dies terribly, or the woman is a sister with very very loose morals, and such. (The joke about my voice type, mezzo-soprano, is our roles are: witches, britches, and ...well there's another word that rhymes but I won't say that on here, for the sake of being polite). 

My Momma blogs too! She also has an Etsy shop (see button on sidebar) and I love to play with her stuff. I mean, I don't periodically stare at her vintage collections...........of course not......... ;) 

I'm dating this guy; I write about him a lot. His name is Michael, but I mainly refer to him as boyfriend. 

I love vintage jewelry, and am obsessed with chandeliers. 

I love to cook for my family.

I love to dance in the kitchen ;) 

I love Jesus, and thank Him for the many many blessings in my life!

I am a nerd. For example, I spend my time as a halfling rogue in D&D, I shoot bad guys with Lara Croft, and I curl up with Neil Gaiman to see what adventures are ahead. I'm a bit of every kind of nerd, really. ;)

I lived in Italy in 2011, for 6 months, and fell in love with the country and with opera. 

My favorite colors are blue, red, and lime green. Aqua blue is my favorite though, if I had to pick one. 

I love to make new friends, and would love it if you would comment/follow, or message me! If you'd like to write for This Journey of Journeys, lemme know; or hey, I love just making new friends and chatting away the day :) 

I blog here (obviously...)

I check email here: chandelier27aaa@gmail.com

I am on twitter here

I wander aimlessly and post here

You can see my pics here

Nice to meet ya! Stick around a while, ok? :) 

Those Moments

I am so blessed by the people in my life; including you wonderful readers! Thank you all for the comments about reaching 10 months :) I spent the day with the boyfriend yesterday, and it was a lovely time. It's so funny to look back to 10 months ago; I said yes to a stalker on facebook (it's not as bad as it sounds hehe). Little did I know I'd be *this* happy. God is good.

The night I met boyfriend- August, 2008

The reason he asked me out ;)

Night he met Mom, Jessika, and Jarrod :)

July 22, 2012 :) Look at us now!

God is also so so good by providing me the friends He needs me to have, and providing me the education I need. A year ago He opened my heart, in a whole new way, to opera. I'm so excited to go to school on a partial music scholarship; I'm getting paid to study music? Thank you, Jesus!

It's not always easy, especially because I am thoroughly attached to my ways and don't like change, but this journey of mine is so neat. Each of us is on a unique journey, and that is wonderful. My journey is filled with opera, rifles, writing, dancing, loving, and lots of hugs ;)

What gets me through this crazy life? Today is filled with music and timeless scripture. <3

"God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." -Hebrews 11:40 


"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11


"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26


"If you're goin through hell keep on movin, face that fire; walk right through it. You might get out before the devil even knows you're there."- Rodney Atkins 


New music on my ipod:
Lindsey Stirling- Phantom of the Opera Medley
Two Steps From Hell- Archangel (whole album)
Lindsey Stirling- Shadows
Demi Lovato- Give Your Heart A Break

Have a good weekend ya'll!

xoxo, alexandra anne

Where Has Last July Gone?

Top 10 Tuesday-

Last day of the month- yikes! This means we're entering a huge month for me; I'm about to move to Houston! Eeeeeee! (That eeeee involves many emotions...I can't quite explain them all ;) )

I'd like to share some Top 10 Loves with ya'll :)


1. Give Your Heart A Break by Demi Lovato- I am loving this song, and listening to it way way way too much.

2. Felicity- did you used to watch that show? My mom did, when I was little. Now I'm of the college age, so I've been watching it a lot this week (I've been sick, tv time has increased).

3. Apples. Granny smith, if you please. They're kind of my favorite, especially sauteed in olive oil and cinnamon. YUM.

4. Pizza. Tonight is pizza night, and I am super stoked. Like, it's jump around crazy stoked. I'm 2 years old and just got my pony. It's that serious, ya'll.

5. Emails from friends- especially the super long ones that catch me up :) I love getting flooded with emails, I feel loved. (My love languages in order are: quality time and words of affirmation, then physical touch).

6. Houston! Super excited to move, for classes, to make new friends, to travel again, to get out of this house (sorry, I'm getting cabin-fever), to be a student with the wonderful Hector Vasquez (just got confirmation of my music major status yesterday, I grinned so so much), etc!

7. Diet Mountain Dew. It's probably terrible for me, but it gives me the fizz and caffeine I need desire

8. Red nail polish- it's summer, so I like to go crazy with cool colors.

9. Scripture- my verse-a-day on my phone's bible app really really helps me out! It's a great way to start the day, and gets my heart in the right place.

10 Pictures of loved ones! My grandmama sent me the pics from my recital :) Have a great week ya'll! Enjoy some pictures ;)

My siblings chillin outside :) 

Kate and Daddy- it was so nice having him home!

Singin me some classical; oh how sassy? 

My duet partner Nathan :) We sang "The Prayer." <3 

Singing my encore piece; "He loves me, he loves me not." ;)

Sooooo many people came! I freaked out for a bit...but was truly blessed by my friends as audience members :)

Lookie!! I babysit this cutie :) :) :) Her baby (9 month) sister is hiding a few feet away. <3 Love those girlies (she was totally checkin out my pearls ;) a true lady in the making!)

My handsome feller, always there to support me and my crazy operatic endeavors.  <3 <3 <3