"You know those days when you get the mean reds?....The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of....Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!" - Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's

I'm excited about my new mug.  I got it for the office.  I haven't been feeling that great in the office lately, so I thought this mug would be a nice picker-upper with it's bright, happy, spring-like orange color and polka dots.  Plus it comes with it's own little coaster!  All wrapped up in a nice bow, which I'll wait to undo when I get there.  It should help put a smile across my face at work.  I'm actually looking forward to going to work so I can use it!

Time in Port Jeff

I had a concert at Stony Brook with the orchestra on Saturday.  I had some free time between the afternoon rehearsal and the evening concert and a friend went out to Long Island with me, so we went into the neighboring town for dinner.  Port Jefferson is a small port village.  There is a little lighthouse and a ferry to Connecticut and lots of sailboats, since it is on the north shore of Long Island.  All the houses and shops are cute and look historic.  Very cute.  It's also the last stop on the Long Island Railroad line that I ride.  So if I ever fall asleep on the train and miss my stop, that is where I will end up. I liked the old clock in the town square.  It seems like it would fit in a movie. Here it is:

Breakfast

Sometimes I like to make omelettes for breakfast...or for dinner.  They usually don't turn out looking all that great.  Often one piece of it gets stuck and when I try to do the fold it crumbles.  Or when I try to slid it onto the plate it folds or falls apart.  All kinds of things can go wrong.  My "omelette" is normally something between an omelette and a scramble. But this morning... this morning was different.  I made a personal record best-looking omelette.  So I thought I would share.  Filled with spinach, mushrooms, and feta cheese, the ingredients were spread out perfectly and tasted delicious.  Slightly crisp on the outside, nice and smooth on the inside.  The mushrooms and spinach were cooked to just the right texture.  And that baby folded right over and slid out of the skillet and onto my plate with no hangups.  Doesn't get much better than this. Woohoo!

I always liked this quote.

what a mess

lashing out

I have to be honest with my blog and face the fact that I am going through a "less than fabulous" patch of life right now.  It kind of strange, because I just went through a quite fabulous patch.  I was pleased with my recital and all the hard work I put into it.  I was feeling on top of the world.  Unfortunately, that feeling didn't last very long as life started crumbling around me only a few days later.  Anyway - I need not get into that right now.

I only came here to mention one of the annoying things about going through a rough spell.  And that thing is waterproof mascara.  I don't like the stuff.  It feels "different" when it's on, seems to build up on my eyelashes, and doesn't wash off easily. I don't like the feeling, or the extra step, of the special eye-makeup remover.  I want to wash my face the regular way and have all my makeup off.  But there are days when as much as I don't like the stuff, I thank God that I keep a tube in the back of the makeup drawer.  I recommend every gal keeps some of it around. You never know when you are going to need it and the last thing you want to do on that day is to take a trip to the beauty counter.  Oh, the waterproof mascara blues...

 I look forward to the morning when I have the courage to put on the regular mascara.  That day will come.  Until then I guess I'll count my blessings I don't have to look like a raccoon face by lunchtime.

All you can do is:

Coming Soon:

Megan Shumate

DMA Clarinet Recital

With:

Jose Menor - piano

Ismar Gomes - cello

Works by:

Brahms

Muczynski

Horovitz

Kovács  

Guastavino

  Stony Brook University

Staller Recital Hall  February 15, 2012 

8pm

Fun, Family, Florida

The Florida trip already seems like it was so long ago, even though it has only been two weeks.  Stacy came back with me to New York and we spent a few days having fun in the city.  This past week I started classes again.  I am also preparing for my first doctoral recital, so things are moving along.

Spending time with family on a little vacation was fun.  We had a great trip!  It's so hard to get the whole family together, since we are spread out all over the place, so it was really a special and nice thing to be able to relax and have fun together.  We rented a really great house in Florida.  It had enough space that we weren't always on top of each other (except that I slept in a top bed of a bunk bed, so maybe I was on top at that point, but that's okay :)  The house had game tables that we took advantage of, TVs to veg out to, a big pool and patio, a lake with a paddle boat (which Jared and Alma Lee got caught out in a storm!), and maybe my personal favorite: a hot tub.  And I loved the weather!  It is GREAT to be able to wear sandals and summer tops in January.  That was a nice way to break up the frigid winters I'm used to. I think I may have a calling to be a snow bird.

I think we were able to have a nice balance of "doing stuff" and relaxing.  Splitting up at times, and going as a group at other times allowed everyone to vacation in their own way.  From biking with alligators, shopping for shoes, eating everything in sight, to playing "Bananas" and "Settlers"...we did a lot!

One day I joined the "Brothers with Babies" group and went to the zoo.  I took my camera, of course, and had so much fun hanging out with them and taking pictures.  Joel was my buddy.  He always wanted to "push the button" on my camera.  He got a few interesting shots.  I'd share them, but I don't want him to sue me for copyright infringement when he starts his own blog.  

We each took a spin (or two) on the zoo's carousel!

I really enjoyed getting to spend time with my nieces and nephew.  I wish I could see them more often!  I look forward to one day when all the cousins can come visit Aunt Megan in New York!  I think we'll have a lot of fun....and not get into too much trouble.

And here is a view of our lovely lake after sunset.

I'm cold!

Turn up the heat!

2012 thus far

So far I have had a nice new year back in New York.  I celebrated the arrival of 2012 in Brooklyn with a small group of friends.  It was very nice.  Since then I have been working, practicing, taking advantage of some after-Christmas sales, and trying to relax as much as I can.  Aside from two very frigid days, the weather has been pretty mild and I've been enjoying my break from school.  I'm also in the midst of a room organization project that I'm enjoying.  I am going through my room in sections and trying to get everything organized.  The project has included several trips to The Container Store, Home Depot, and the discount store in my neighborhood.  As I go along I am coming up with new ideas and also looking at websites for inspiration.  It's been pretty amazing how much more space I can find when I get really organized.  I found one extra shelf on my small bookcase and a whole extra shelf (maybe even two) on my larger bookcase!  The goal is for every "thing" to have its own "place".  Then nothing should go on the floor or in piles to never be seen again, right?  We'll see.  I'm excited about what I've done so far and there is still PLENTY to go.  I'm still trying to decide the best methods for my clarinet stuff, music, and school stuff.  These things tend to get out of control, especially during the semester or when I get really busy.  Unfortunately, Better Homes and Garden's website doesn't have a "de-clutter your clarinet stuff" page so I'm on my own with this one.  Maybe I will come up with something creative and put it on my website and become famous with all the clarinetists.  I'll be the Martha Stewart of clarinet.

Well - Project Organization 2012 will have to go on hold tomorrow because I will be going to Florida for the rest of the week!  I'm super excited to take a vacation with my family and get to relax in a warm place.  I look forward to seeing my nephew who I haven't seen in a year, and meeting my new niece for the first time!  With a family so spread out, it's hard to get everyone together at the same time, so this will be great!  Yippee!