Things are starting to settle down (for a little while anyway)

The start of 2011 has been pretty hectic, to say the least. I started off by doing triple-duty: Full-Time Teacher, Opera Chorister, and College Student... Not to mention we also celebrated our 2-year Wedding Anniversary at the end of the month. Things were more than hectic... They were INSANE!

I am happy to report that I survived my first college course, after graduating almost 5 years ago with my Bachelors, and I not only survived... I Aced it ;) go me! Truth be told, the class wasn't too difficult. It's actually for Teacher Certification and is one of 3 I am required to take for issuance of my Professional Teaching Certificate in Music. I will also be applying for the Elementary Education Certificate to have as a back-up, due to the sketchy school-system situation. I am enjoying Teaching, and will stick to it until something better (in my singing career) comes up.

We are getting ready to wrap-up Hoffmann too! Six shows down, two to go. The show has actually gotten pretty good reviews all around, which is great. It's a new production, and I have enjoyed being a part of it :)

Until next time... Happy Blogging!

Busy, busy, like the Bee ;)

So, as I mentioned in my last post, things have been pretty hectic around here. We are still out of our home, and at my Mom's because the damn insurance won't "shit or get off the pot", and haven't decided if they are going to settle or see us in court.

The Public Adjuster mentioned that these claims can take about 6 months to a year... but with our 1-year mark getting closer and closer (Valentine's Day weekend) it makes me realize that the insurance really decided to push it all the way up until the 1-year mark (and possibly beyond). There was another claim placed on the house for another issue, and that was recently settled, so we have hi

gh hopes that the same will happen for us. We miss being in our little house and having our privacy.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a very fruitful, or even mildly-exciting, audition season. I had many other conflicts dealing with recital season and opera season, and work, and wasn't able to make the most of it... But honestly, I am not concerned. I auditioned for the FGO Young Artists again and got extremely positive feedback there, which really helped. As far as the Opera world is concerned, I am still rather young, at 28, and have some more time. I am, by no means, giving up any time soon, but there is no use in getting flustered about it. I am going to continue working on me, and will also continue being positive about what will come.

I have decided to simplify my life. To just live happily and positively. So far, it's working out great! I am enjoying

life much more, and finding more beauty in the simplicity of the day-to-day. I am happy where I am currently at, and exciting for what is to come.

This may sound silly, but becoming a Mary Kay consultant has made me a bit more positive... All of their philosophies and such really make you feel good about what you do from day to day, and I love that. I love surrounding myself with positive energy in this negative world. It all comes down to the Bumble Bee... The bumble bee for all it's illustrious work should simply not have the anatomical ability to fly!! Certain research demonstrates thousands of reasons why it should NOT be able to fly... Yet it does! This is a testament to Mary Kay's philosophy of "can do" and "you can too". So find inspiration, and go for it! :)

Until next time... Happy Blogging!

New Year, New Template, New Blogging goals...

Hello, everyone! I am sorry I have been totally MIA, but things have been crazy (to say the least) with work, opera, school (yes, school - I am a student again after almost 5 years). I wanted to come in and say hello, and let you know that I will be blogging more often :) I am finishing up a class now, and heading out, so I don't have much time to elaborate on my recent "adventures", but I promise I will be around in the next few days to fill you in as much as possible :)

Happy Blogging!

Friends (and an update, of course)...

I have been so incredibly busy that I haven't been around... I apologize! For those of you that still take the time to keep my blog in your reading list, here is an update... stay with me! ;)

I started teaching again... as you already know (I believe I mentioned this is my last post), and since then, things have been SUPER busy! Two of my good friends are getting married, one in 4 months, the other in 8, plus we have another Engagement in the family without a set date, but aiming for the end of 2011... very exciting.

As if all of that wasn't enough, my cousin, who is now living in California, gave birth to her first child today. A daughter by the name of Isabella :) All is good in the world...

Turandot opens on the 13th of November, and rehearsals for that show are always nuts. It was the first show I worked in with FGO back in 2004... and I think it is safe to say that we pretty much forgot how hectic and involved the show is. The ultimate outcome, however, is gorgeous, and I encourage everyone to check it out!

I had one audition a little while back which did not turn out an offer, but I am sure there will be more... I am trying not to stress it. What's meant to be will be :) I will just keep doing my thing until it does...

I have had so many id

eas for different posts, lately... But I haven't had ANY time to sit and produce anything... so, here I finally am with something I thought about a few weeks back...

It all started when my Hubby and I had a Friday night off, and decided to spend it relaxing, and maybe going out for some dinner. I had been dying to try this place "Lime" which I had heard was really good. We love Mexican places like that, so we thought we'd check it out. I decided to call another couple we hang out with and see if they would like to join us, especially since my friend really enjoys Mexican food, and I figured she would want to give it a try. I get them on the phone, and her Fiance (my other friend) starts saying that they are doing stuff, etc, but that he would let m

e know. A few minutes later, he calls me back and is acting all weird... "I don't know if we can go..." and "I'll let you know, but I don't know"... etc. He sounded SO weird, like he wasn't really acting like himself... so I just came out and said, "Listen, you are not obligated to go out with us... we like hanging out with you guys, which is why we invite you, but if you have stuff to do we will not be offended! Honestly, but don't give me this BS... either you want to/can go or you don't/can't". So we hung up, and a few minutes later his fiance called, saying that what he meant was that they were doing stuff and even though they wanted to go, would have to pass." I, of course, told her it was fine! I really meant it too... I am not one of those people tha

t don't go to someone's event cause they didn't come to mine, or that gets offended if you don't want to come, or can't make it... honestly, it's not that serious! In the end, they did finish up everything, and met us over at Lime, and it was cool... true friends don't hold grudges for silly things like that.

My point is... when you really want to be someone's friend, you are understanding and open to them, no matt

er what. It is a choice we make. We have many opportunities every day to make choices. The fact that he was being so wishy-washy with me was so weird, and I honestly didn't like that! Friends should be honest to each other... Honestly! I have friends who I feel I can truly say what is on my mind to... and if they get a little upset, I know they'll eventually get over it, and we'll keep being friends... but at least they know how I feel! I shouldn't have to go behind their backs (or them going behind mine) talking trash, and shoving my opinion in people's faces. It is especially hurtful when you have to hear from your own family member

s that people you consider are your lifelong friends are talking bad about you... The fact of the matter is, opinions are like assholes... (I am sure you know where I'm going with this). Everyone does what they want with their life... again, we have choices. I choose to try and live positively. I have had enough negativity in my life for a long time now... and I just rather not stress. I rather be a happy person, for me, and for the people who choose to be around me. I am who I am, and I hope people accept me for me... the good and the bad.

Happy Blogging :)

The Yellow Love Bird

In the school where I am teaching (yes, I got a new job, but that's another story which I'll write an update on later), there is a Building that has an aviary... it's really nice cause on each side of the hallway, there are these huge cages. There are 3 in total... 2 on one side, and 1 on the other. Every day, when I pass by this area, I always admire the beautiful birds, and listen to them chirp. I couldn't help but notice this gorgeous, bright yellow, love bird. You can't help but notice this one, because it is the only one of it's kind among all the other, more standard, love birds. You know, the green ones with the red face, neck and chest. Not that those love birds are in any way inferior to t

he yellow one... This Yellow one merely stands out cause it's, really, the only one that looks like this.

Sometimes, I walk by, and this Yellow Love Bird is perched on a branch in the very center of the cage, surrounded by some of the other birds... but sometimes, it is off in a corner, alone. Ignored. It is almost as if the other birds are offended by the fact that this bird is different, and naturally calls so much attention to itself. Loved by some, hated by others. I am sure that the other birds look at it from afar and talk bad about it, in their little birdy chirps... yet sometimes, they can't stop bragging about how they know it, and are it's BFF...

Isn't it funny how we humans are the same? After all, our Human Nature is pretty animalistic. We separate ourse

lves from the animals and rise above by having vocabulary, wearing clothing, etc... but in the end, we are all animals. Sometimes, a "Yellow Love Bird" comes around... we are either intrigued by the presence of this creature, and are drawn towards it. We want to be it's BFF. But sometimes, or eventually, we are threatened, and offended by it... by all the attention it gets. It's only because of issues that we have with ourselves, deep down inside, we wish we were that beautiful, bright yellow, bird, with all it's charm, grace and wonderful qualities. We are so caught up with wanting to be that bird, and have what that bird has, that we do not realize that we are great the way we are. Instead, we spend all our time bitching and complaining about what the bird did or didn't do, or about how the bird purposely draws attention

to itself, and how terrible the bird is (for whatever reasons we make up). But are they really that terrible? Or is it the low self-esteem that some have inside getting the best of them?

Sometimes, I feel like that Yellow Love Bird... I am not perfect, but neither is it. It is just different, in it's own way... and sometimes, people can't accept different... especially when it interferes with their ideas about themselves. I am different the way we all are, and I can only be me.

Happy Blogging! :)

LOVE is in the air! :)

While I was house-sitting for my Friends', and they were on their Parisian Holiday, one of my Best Friend's, Alex, proposed to his long-time, live-in, Girlfriend, Michelle. I cannot help but be so thrilled for them! It was only a matter of time before it happened... but I am just so happy for them, I cannot even put it into words! They are such wonderful people, and it makes me SO happy to see others happy... I guess when one is happy, they are happy for all those around them who are happy as well ;)

I am extra excited, and thrilled, to be helping my Best Friend (who was the Maid of Honor in our Wedding) plan her nuptials, which will be taking place December 2011... I am soo excited for her too! And to think that around the time of our Wedding (of which we'll be celebrating our 2 year Anniversary this January) she said she was never getting married... oh, how things change ;) The plans are in full swing, and she is really happy, which is the most important thing :)

We finally left Alex and Michelle's, after staying a little longer with them, and came over to my Mom's to house/dog sit for her and my Grandparents' while they are at the Beach for the week... We packed our things (once again - and hopefully the last time before getting back into our own house), and headed to Miami Springs... but, next month, there is FINALLY a deposition set for the case with our Insurance regarding the fixing of our home... HOPEFULLY things will get moving soon. We miss our little house, very much, and are definitely due for some privacy...

With that said, we planned a last minute getaway with some friends on the 13th thru the 16th. We will be going on a Bahamian Cruise on Royal Caribbean, and do we need it! I didn't think it was going to be possible, cause we are a bit tight on money, but the Hubby insisted, so it was planned. It's actually a bit funny... it started out with just our friends Jose and Barbie, and now it's 12 adults and 1 baby! We are definitely going to have a great time, though... I have never been to the Bahamas, and my only other time Cruising was for our Honeymoon when we sailed the Mediterranean. I am really looking forward to it, to say the least...

Despite all the craziness, moving here and moving there, these recent weekends, the the upcoming ones, have been pretty fun... This past Sunday, we boarded our friend's boat, and headed to the Sand Bar... we had a blast, and I definitely had TOO MUCH to drink... Let's just leave it at that ;)

This Sunday, we'll be Tailgating at the Marlins vs. Cardinals game... this marks another "First" for me, since I have NEVER tailgated (I don't know why... it's just never happened...) So it should be fun... I love going to watch the ballgame... I don't know what it is, I just love it! And of course, it's extra fun when you go with fun people who like to have a good time ;)

Anyway, lots of updates, and lots of love, including for my new iPhone 4... yes, it's the best, and no, rumors about dropped calls and such are not true... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! But I'll leave it at that, because I wouldn't want any HATERS, like this guy, out there to think I'm apple obsessed, and start running their mouths... ahem. So, for now, I bid you adieu...

Happy Blogging!

House/Puppy Sitting and Updates

As of July 16th, the Hubby and I are on House/Puppy Sitting Duty for our Friends Alex and Michelle while they are in France. It's a nice change from being at my in-laws for the past 5 months due to mold issues in our home. It's definitely different than being over there where my Mother in Law is almost always home taking care of our Nephew. I find myself being alone once in a while, just me and the dogs... and it's kind of nice. Reminds me of when we used to be in our own place.

Our friends' bed sure is comfy, though... that is one thing I really must say I look forward to. We have a queen bed of our own, and have been sleeping in a full since February... so upgrading to a super soft KING bed is definitely fantastic. I have been sleeping sooooooo well, I can't even begin to elaborate, for no words would be enough... I really do love our current sleeping arrangement!

On another note, I officially started my own personal Business with Mary Kay last week, and have my first Pampering Session tonight with a couple of my cousins. Should be fun! I need the practice... Honestly, I have to say that I love the Mary Kay products... they have changes so much since the last time I remember trying them, and honestly, the new face of Mary Kay kicks all the skin care competition out of the water... not to mention that their products really are good! So many women in America SWEAR by them! And all of those women have beautiful skin... It is NEVER too late, nor too EARLY, to start an anti-aging regimen. They even have a ling for Teenagers AND for men! It's fantastic. If you want more info, you can go ahead and e-mail me at mruiz@marykay.com! I would be glad to set up a pampering session for you and 3 friends (did I mention you get a free gift if you do??) or maybe a pedicure party?? ;) Martinis and Makeovers? Whatever tickles your fancy!! Can you tell I'm excited?? Not to mention I have this huge goal to do 30 faces in 30 d

ays!!! It's going to be a lot of work, but I know I will do it!

So I had an audition this past weekend in St. Augustine with First Coast Opera. Looked like a very promising one... but we shall see! Apparently, if I get hired, I'll be in St. Augustine the last 3 weeks in October... It will all depend on what the offer is, but I think I should be cool with that ;) I also have an audition on August 28th in Naples, Fl. I'll be heading up there with a good friend of mine, Miguel Llerena. Should be fun!

Until next time!

Happy Blogging! :)

"Die Zauberflöte" & Opera Resources

So for the past month, or so, I have been working with the Riuniti Opera and the Alhambra Orchestra (once again) on a Production of Die Zauberflöte. This is, officially, my 3rd time performing the role of the "Queen of the Night" in Mozart's fantastically funny yet "deep" creation. Click here for more info about this Opera from Wikipedia.

Finally, today, is the first (of two) performance of thi

s show. We will be performing a short version of the Opera at the University of Miami's Gusman Hall for a bunch of kids at Music Camps. It's going to be fun, and honestly (most of all) it'll be good to see our hard work pay off!

Sunday is the second, and final, performance. We will be performaning at Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest, and yes, this will be the full show (with the exception of a cut or two). If you are my Facebook friend, you can see that I posted some info directly onto my page... if you're not my FB friend, you can go ahead and add me! My FB badge is on the right column ;)

I wanted to add the following...

Nowadays, being an Opera singer has gotten SO much easier than it was for the great singers of the past... we have all sorts of online and technological resources... it's just crazy how things have evolved! For example, on iTunes, if you visit the iTunes store and search for "Opera" in

the Podcast section, you can find all s

orts of goodies! For example, there are FREE (yes, I said FREE) podcasts from such companies as the Washington National Opera in D.C. and Seattle Opera. There is the "premieropera's podcast" which features greats from the past as well as today! The possibilities are endless! Check out this screen shot of the iTunes store featuring some of the endless options:

This is, really, only the beginning... there are sites like YAP Tracker, Aria-Database and so much more (but we'll got into all of that some other time)! ;) It truly makes our lives so much easier! Just think... no more sitting in the libr

ary for hours looking through those old, moldy, translation books... just look it up! Most of the time, you'll find what you're looking for ;)

Happy Blogging!

Help Support a Wonderful Cause

If you are feeling generous... please consider sponsoring my friend's classroom.

She is an Elementary School Teacher who needs a class library, and is trying to get an overhead projector as well. These items are necessary in helping the children do well on the FCAT, which has become a really big deal in the state of Florida...

Please click here and helo make a difference by Adopting a Classroom.

Happy Blogging! :)

Lucky

I realize, more and more everyday, how lucky I am to have been blessed with my talent to sing, and have a real career, not just a job. I know it seems a bit frivolous, singing for a living, but honestly, why not? I love what I do... and it is not as easy as it seems. Nothing worth having is easy to come by... and that is why I work harder and harder everyday to get where I need to be.

So many people go day in day out through their lives waking up driving to some place, faking it all day just to

get a paycheck, and then going home to repeat it the next day... Even though my career choice hasn't always been easy, I truly love what I do... I love being part of something like the Opera world.

I am also so happy to have found someone like my Husband who supports me beyond anything. I cannot even count how many times I have been ready to give up my voice lessons and singing because it was getting too hard or too expensive... but he has never allowed me to do give up! He knows how important it is to have a dream and make it a reality... especially since almost 2 years ago, he and his friend started a business with nothing... no loans, no advice, no help... just a few contacts and through the use of their computers and phones (and our 2nd bedroom). Now, they have their own warehouse with their own inventory, and are doing pretty well for themselves! I am so proud of them...

If you have a dream, don't be stupid and follow it! Do what you have to do to make it a reality... don't get caught up in junk and stupidities... reach for your dreams, no matter how far fetched they may seem... and never, NEVER, let anyone weigh you down!

Happy Blogging! :)

Nice Quote...

I saw this on a FB friend's page from a Quote Generator, and had to share... enjoy!

"What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things. (Anonymous)"

Happy Blogging! :)

Our Big Fat Cuban 4th of July

Have you ever had a day or time when you felt you were part of a movie? I definitely did this 4th of July, spending it with friends at the Beach... It was fun and truly interesting ;)

We started planning towards going to the Keys this weekend to celebrate the 4th... but ended up just heading to our Friend's condo in the Ramada Marco Polo. He has a really nice studio apartment on the beach. We arrived before 10 in the morning to avoid parking issues. We brought up the food, and coolers stuffed with beers and sodas, and got settled before heading down to the beach. The water was nice, not too hot, not too cold, and the Sun was out most of the time (My Hubby and I have the tans to prove it). We definitely had to take advantage, because the bad weather was definitely coming, and could not be avoided. We were out there a while, catching some rays, and swimming around, before finally packing up just in time to seek shelter from the big storm that was coming. We got upstairs, showered and had some dinner, followed by a game of Beer Pong (my first time playing!) and then some fireworks, courtesy of Alex, Jose and Adrian. They were great! All and all, a great day...

Still, I couldn't help but notice how several moments in the day strangely resembled the hilarious movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (one of my favorite movies of all time)... from Jose's Mom and his girlfriend's parents bringing "Boliche" and Turkey to the beach, to cramming about 18 people into a small studio apartment, to how loud we were all together... It was so funny! Jose's mom even reminded me of the Mother in the movie... telling people when to shower, how to prepare the food, and when to eat... it was a trip! We had a great time, and I definitely spent the day laughing, which is always good ;)

Of course it's always nice to celebrate something so important as the Independence of our GREAT country! It is because of this that we are able to speak our minds, and even write on our own blogs! No one can tell us what, or what not, to say or how to dress... and aside from laws which help our society function, we are FREE! Gotta love America!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend with Family & Friends!

Happy Blogging! :)

On a lighter note... PANDORA!!!!!

Ok, so I got yet ANOTHER pandora charm from my Hubby (he's the best)... It's a cupcake, because of my obsession with baking and decorating cupcakes... I attached a picture of it... so cute!

Sometimes, I sit back and I realize... I have soo much to be thankful for... a wonderful Family which grew on 1/24/09 when I married my Sweetheart, awesome friends... I am too BLESSED to be STRESSED!!!

Happy Blogging! :)

Stupid People

**RANT WARNING - TO THE TUNE OF "It's my party and I cry if I want to"**

It's my blog, and I rant if I want to!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes, I just wish that some people would just S*T*F*U*!!!!! Seriously. My patience is running very thin. It amazes me to see some people act so foolishly, running their mouths about everything, thinking they are experts on everything and anything ever invented, when they know nothing about the other person, or what their day to day life entails. It amazes me even more to see how some people think the world revolves around them and that everything that is going on around them is linked to their lives... I will never understand some of these people!

Anyone who really knows me KNOWS that I am constantly going out of my way for the people I care about. I have stayed up until 4 in the morning working on projects for friends and family, driving across town to pick people up from the airport... hell, I go as far as to inconvenience myself to make others happy. I don't do it for any personal gain. I don't feel that I need to prove this to anyone, but once in a while, even if it's for my own benefit, I remind myself that this is how I've always been... I don't expect people who do not take the time to know who I really am to understand any of this - especially when most of what they do in their lives is for their own personal gain. Hence why these people should all flock together, using each other, and spitting each other out.

I am very lucky because I may not have a million friends, but the few that I have are GOOD friends, who are there for me. I have no complaints! I know that if I need something, I have at least 4-5 people ready to jump to my aid... some of them who I haven't known very long at all, but who have taken an interest in really getting to know me... I am truly blessed.

Ok... rant over. The end.

Happy Blogging! :)

Why Cuba did not participate in the World Cup 2010 (Hilarious!)

I was checking up on recent postings from my blog-roll, when I noticed that my friend Ms. Sunshine of Why Women Should Love Sports posted this video... This is absolutely HILARIOUS!!! Granted, not everyone that views this blog will understand... and I do apologize for that... but I am sure you will at least find some humor in it ;) Enjoy!

Happy Blogging! :)