Guys, I can't believe it's been seven months since I've updated this thing! But I'm back! So let's review where the heck I've been...
-I graduated (unofficially) at the end of April! "Unofficially" means I'd finished all of my classes, but still needed to play my recital (minor detail).
We're cute.
-Joe flew to China with the UM Symphony Band for almost a month while I went back to VA to live with the parentals and work. Joe had a great experience in China, but missed American food (and bathrooms) and of course ME! We stayed connected through his Yahoo email (gmail's banned there) and some jerky, pixelated Skype chats. Boy does being halfway across the world from each other make you appreciate one another so much more!
Anyway, back to the food and bathrooms... He also ate some new animals/animal parts like jellyfish, donkey, and duck tongues, and even walked in on a Chinese man smoking a cigarette in a squatty-potty! Ah, culture at its finest. The last concert of the tour was in LA at Disney Hall over Memorial Day weekend and I, being the luckiest daughter-in-law in the world, was flown out courtesy of Joe's mom. We spent the whole weekend with Joe's family in LA and had a great time! I still look back at that as one of my favorite trips EVER! The band sounded amazing, Disney Hall was awe-inspiring (if you haven't seen the interior, you should google image it real quick), and it was so great to finally be back together again!
Joe on the Great Wall of China...how cool is that?!?
The Nib fam before Joe's concert at Disney Hall. If you're wondering what the heck is going on with my hair, it was a windy day...don't judge.
-If you didn't think it could get any cooler, Joe took a trip to France with his trumpet teacher and a few studio to France just a few short days after he got back from China. They stayed in a small town called Pontlevoy that looked like it came straight out of Beauty and the Beast. Poor thing! They stayed there for ten days, playing recitals, taking masterclasses from famous French trumpet dudes, and most importantly, eating amazing French pastries!
The view from Joe's room in Pontlevoy. I mean, come on...is this even real?
The pastry shop Joe frequented on a daily basis. I am laughing really hard right now about how daintily he's holding his pastry box. That's my husband!
-While Joe was off gallivanting around the world, I was busy living the dream working at LOFT. Come to find out, I quite enjoy working in retail. I must say, it came pretty naturally considering I've been my mom's personal stylist my whole life. Real Housewives of Loudoun County, thank you for allowing me to style you.
-Oh yeah and I also spent a lot of time practicing for my itty-bitty Master's recital.
-After Joe got back from France, he went to Chautauqua, New York for a seven week-long musical festival (i.e. band camp for big kids). Chautauqua is a tiny, weird little lake town where rich people come to vacation and "experience the arts." Picture "Dirty Dancing" and you've pretty much got it. He played in an orchestra and chamber groups, took weekly lessons with a trumpet teacher, and spent hours in little practice cabins (or shacks, as I called them). He also had to live in a dorm, eat cafeteria food, and SURVIVE WITH NO AC for seven whole weeks. How he did it, I do not know.
The trumpet section after their last concert. Aren't they cute?
Joe duking it out on Lake Chautauqua. This picture actually kinda freaks me out a little.
-Then finally, after a very long summer, we were reunited and came back to Ann Arbor! I played my recital (which I didn't really get any good pictures of...woops), then started working again at the LOFT here in Ann Arbor. After a week or so, I decided one job wasn't enough and decided to get a second job at Pandora (not the online radio station or the mythical box, but the jewelry store). It has been a lot of fun to learn a new job and have a chance to meet and interact with new people! Also, now that I'm done with school, I have time to do fun things like try new recipes, Book Club, and other housewifey-type things. I am looking for a new (cheap) hobby, so if anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears.
-Joe is still working on his Master's (he'll be done April 2012) and he is super busy preparing for his DMA auditions. We are loving life here in Ann Arbor!
6 comments:
Those pictures were awesome! I can't believe the view he had in France!
So glad you guys are doing well in Ann Arbor, and CONGRATS on finishing up your degree!!
Wow, I can't believe how much you guys were apart this summer! Sounds like Joe had some amazing experiences though. And you finished your graduate recital--wahoo! Congrats on graduating.
Oh dear Kathryn. I heard Minuet in G being played in a practice room the other day. It made me think of you. What DMA programs is Joe applying to? That is cool that you work at the Loft. I love that store. In fact I am wearing a sweater from there right now! Way to survive the summer being apart so much. Phil and I were apart for 3 weeks while the chamber orchestra was on tour and it about killed me. You are strong Kathryn. Also, way to graduate. I am really looking forward to doing the same in April.
I meant to tell you that I really like the windswept hair picture. You look model-esque with the flowy dress and belt.
I know this is a little behind, but where are you guys auditioning?! If you are comin out my way again you know I make a mean chicken noodle soup and I am pretty good at taking care of sick people! And P.S. LOFT is my favorite store... so jealous of all the discounts you must be getting. I know I could never work there because I would actually have no income (unless clothes count as income).
Annie! Yes, working at LOFT is pretty much an exercise of self-control. Basically they should just convert my paychecks straight into clothes. Sadly, Joe is not auditioning in Boston! He decided on UT Austin, FSU, and UGA. But if we are ever in Boston again, we will definitely hit you up for some chicken noodle soup!
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