Here I go! It's showtime

Wow, so this day has finally come. After months and weeks preparing and dreaming, it is now time for me to step on a plane and do amazing things in Austria. I slept relatively well, considering the situation, and feel pretty calm this morning. I've packed and re-packed my suitcases several times to make sure I have everything I need, and nothing I don't. It's hard to anticipate everything I'm going to need for 8 weeks. I've got all the regular stuff, plus my singing things. Six pairs of shoes (3 are dress shoes), 3 gowns, 2 audition dresses, skirts, blouses, piles of sheet music, audio recorder, etc. It all fits in those 2 suitcases, so keep your fingers crossed that I am under the weight-limit! :)

So today is going to be one loooonnnnggg day. Seattle to Amsterdam. 3 hour layover. Amsterdam to Munich. 3 hour layover. Munich to Vienna at 7pm. And then I will be taking a taxi to my friend's house and hitting some zzzzzzs.

Okay, time for me to finish getting ready and spend some quality time with my daughter before driving to the airport. Wish me luck! Auf wiedersehen, Amerika!

Hard Day - goodbye to Pamina

Today was a very sad day for me and my daughter, as we had to say goodbye to our beloved cat Pamina. It became apparent over the past week that her health was deteriorating quickly, so I took her to the vet and received the confirmation that she was terminal and most likely would not survive the week. I had to make the tough decision to let her go before she was in too much pain. Dad accompanied me to the vet, and I was with my sweet Pamina until the very end. Dad, Mom, Oma, my daughter and I held a burial for her and had a sweet little service. She has been laid to rest in their yard, and is probably playing in heaven with all of the other kitties we've had in our family over the years. Pamina has been with me for the past 11 years, through moves to five different homes, the birth and growth of my daughter, numerous frustrations and heartaches. She was considered a cherished family member, and will be deeply missed.

Almost there!

Wow - so today is my last Saturday before I leave for Austria. I can't believe how the months have flown by, and now I am only 4 days away from getting on that plane. It's been one whirlwind of a week, as I'm sure you can imagine. It's one thing to go on a vacation for two weeks, but it's another to go out of the country for two months! There are a ridiculous amount of things to take care. You should see my 'to do' list...

Friday was my last day at Microsoft until the end of August. Yes, my work place is amazing! My incredible manager is letting me take two months off work for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and actually holding my position for me until I get back. Who does that?! It's craziness, I tell you, craziness. Okay, so it's really yet another example of things working out so that I can pursue my dream. I tell you, once I made my decision to go to Austria, things have just been falling into place. It tells me the universe wants me to keep singing!

Anyway...back to work. I have a wonderful lady filling in for me while I'm gone, but I only had one day (Friday) to brain dump everything I could before leaving. I sure hope I covered everything! There was a lot to wrap up before heading out, especially with the end of the fiscal year, but I just have to keep repeating to myself that everything will be fine. Work will go on just fine without me.

Every day I've tried to tick a few things off the list - cancel the newspaper, make photocopies of my sheet music, buy those last-minute items, etc. And of course I've been trying to spend as much quality time with my daughter as possible. Oh, I'm going to miss her so much! I signed myself up for Skype today, and plan on using that A LOT to keep in touch with her. Good thing we get to look forward to meeting up in Austria at the beginning of August. I know that first hug after being apart for so long will be cherished.

Photos from the concert

Post-Concert Bliss

My fund-raising concert on Saturday, June 11th was a complete success! Over 70 friends and family members supported me in person that evening, and I had a blast singing for them. While I always have room for improvement, I felt more comfortable on stage than I ever have before. It's performances like that that remind me why I'm doing this - it's FUN!!! Not only did I have a crazy fun time singing for my friends and family, but I raised enough funds to pay for my Austria training!!! Mission accomplished.

I am so deeply touched by how much support I've received, especially over the last few months, from so many people. People are coming out of the woodwork to help me along my journey to achieving my dream of being an opera singer. It's almost overwhelming how generous people have been, and continue to be, in their various forms of support. What gifts I have received... I am incredibly blessed. My parents have truly been the most giving, and I will always be grateful to them for believing in me and doing everything in their power to help me. When I'm singing in Austria, I will certainly remember how many people believe in me and will do my best to make the most of the experience.

Thank you...
Larissa

Welcome to my blog!

Tonight is my fund-raising concert! I have the opportunity of a lifetime to realize my dream of singing opera by going to Graz, Austria to participate in a 6 week intensive opera program this summer. I will learn roles, perform, meet other singers, coaches, conductors - people who will provide the training, resources and networking to get my foot in the door. Tonight's concert is to help me raise funds to cover the cost of the training. I've never taken a leap of faith this large or asked for anything of this magnitude before.

I'll be performing some great opera solos, and will also have the pleasure of singing with two of my good friends - Carmen and Michael Nemeth. We are doing some crowd-pleasing duets from Marriage of Figaro, Lakme, The Phantom of the Opera and more. I already know that my absolute favorite moment will be at the end, when I get to sing with my lovely daughter. I'm really looking forward to singing for the many fabulous friends and family that are encouraging me to go for my dreams.

I leave for Austria in late June and return home to Seattle in late August. Two whole months of singing - could I ask for more?! I can't wait to get over there and do what I love every day. I'm excited to see how much I improve over the weeks. I plan on coming back to Seattle with a very competitive edge. This is going to be a FABULOUS experience, and I can't wait to get started. The journey so far has been mind-blowing so I can't wait to see what's around the corner. Bring it!