Ferris Bueller

If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

This audition process has been the strangest and most exciting process so far. And the learning process alongside of it all has just amazed me. I have some really great people around me from whom I have learned so much.

"Let me explain . . . No it's too much . . . let me sum up . . . " (Princess Bride)

A week ago, I had two songs picked out and practiced for this audition on the 17th: Stay With Me and I Don't Know How to Love Him. I had been leaning heavily on the piece from Into the Woods, because I love the musical and thought I could do a really good job with it. So I recorded the piece with my little camera and then decided - what the hell - I'll record the other one as well. I refused to listen to them at first. I was so afraid I would hate them both and chicken out completely.

So I turned to my husband and asked him (since I'd sung them at the top of my lungs - jk) which one he preferred. He liked the one from JCS the best - said it sounded just like the the one on the album and that I should go with it. Plus, he doesn't share my LOVE for ItheW. Go figure.

So I listened to the recordings of both songs and of course, Tim was right. At this point, however, I wasn't convinced. So I took both songs to my choir mistress (I love calling her that) and asked her opinion - mostly so I could get the pieces marked correctly for the accompanist at the audition, but also to see if she'd help me practice with a live instrument. Afterwards, she also said that the JCS piece sounded better and showed off my voice more. I hate when Tim's right - most of the time.

Okay, so I was convinced to change the song. As long as I don't screw up the words, I should be fine. The tone of it sounds good. My choir mistress said I just needed to mind my country twang when I sing it. Mind my country twang? That's all?! I had to laugh. I think I can do that.

So then came the resume and the headshot. The resume wasn't as lacking as I thought it would be. One thing though made me laugh - under "special skills" - I have none. That was a bit of a disappointment until I realized that as teachers we has to dabble in a little of everything, leaving us little time to specialize in anything. So I was tempted to list my special skills as: being a good teacher and a mom. I didn't think that would go over so professionally. oh well...

The headshots were possibly the deal breaker here and almost frightened me away from the whole thing. As much as I love the spotlight, I hate how I look in it. The idea of having a photographer focus completely on me was just uncomfortable at best. I suppose this is why God sent me such great family. My little photographer made it fun and laughed with me instead of staring at me and gave me so much control and say over what and when and how, that I felt almost comfortable with the attention. And the photos she took are amazing. Here's the one I'm going with for the audition - mostly because it's the one that's most how I want to be seen - slightly playful with a mischievous gleam in my eye.

So this week - as I'm trying to stay healthy and un-nervous, I'm going to tweak everything and hope for the best. I guess I should take some time to slow down a little this week, take some time to look around. Who knows what I might miss if I don't?