"Life without music would be a mistake" - Nietzsche

I love music. Like I absolutely LOVE music. I listen to it all day at work as I read applications, answer e-mails and book travel visits. I listen to it in the car. I listen to it at home while cooking, knitting or reading. I watch TV shows that include music (hello GLEE!) and would go to every Broadway musical ever made if I could. But I'm not a musician - until now.

When our office's web support specialist sent out an e-mail trying to recruit members for the Winooski Community Chorus that she directs I laughed a little - I've never been a singer, but man, I can sure belt out the tunes in the car. However, once I got to thinking about it a little more, I decided that I wanted to try joining the chorus - I mean, what did I have to lose? Maria said that it was very low key, and that they were going to be singing Broadway songs. Two things I love more than anything - things that are relaxed and Broadway. I was in.

Independently of this, my roommate and fellow SMC staff member Mallory also decided to join the chorus. Perfect. What better way to have fun then belting out show tunes with one of my best friends? Mal still has to sing my notes for me and tell me to stop singing when it's not our turn, but I think I doing fine, especially now that I know what notes to look at on the sheet.

SMC has taught me to go for what I want - if I want to sing in a chorus, I should just commit to it and try my hardest - and maybe I'll find a new hobby that I could have for the rest of my life!

So if you're applying to SMC, just think about me jamming out in my cubicle to the wide variety of music that I listen to as I read your application - today is was a mix of Girl Talk, Carolina Liar and my grooveshark.com playlist of all of the chorus' songs for our concert...so when I've got my headphones in, watch out, I'm a happy girl!

Boston!

One of the things I love about living in Burlington is how close it is to a variety of major cities - you can easily get to Montreal, Boston and NYC in just a matter of hours. This weekend I made a trip down to Boston with Thomas to visit and friend, go to a 3-D IMAX show at the Aquarium and see a Celtics game!

We saw the "Under the Sea" IMAX show, and then followed it up with a walk around the aquarium - it was really cool to see several of the really interesting creatures that we had seen in the IMAX next door at the aquarium, like the wicked cool leafy sea dragon.

After the aquarium we walked through Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market and then caught the T to the Museum of Fine Arts where our friend is a chef (they have a delicious restaurant inside of the museum). Jared took care of us to the utmost degree and had us try a bunch of the different dishes that he makes - it was delicious! After the feast we went back to Jared's house and he cooked for us again - chicken tacos this time!

On Sunday we saw the Celtics vs. Magic game which was a lot of fun. I was rocking my new Shaq t-shirt, but he's injured and wasn't even there which was too bad. We had a great time watching all of the action and seeing some great basketball. We drove home after the game and got back just in time to catch the last few minutes of the Superbowl.

What a great weekend in such a vibrant and fun city - I hope to make more trips in the future!